Summary:
Across Appalachia, thousands of acres of formerly mined land sits barren or has been converted to gravelly grassland. These sites were once home to thriving forest ecosystems and some of our region’s most astounding biodiversity. Through a specific reforestation process known as the Forestry Reclamation Approach, these sites can be improved by removing invasive and non-native plants, loosening compacted soil, and finally planting a mix of native trees. After reforestation, these sites have higher biodiversity, help naturally clean and filter rainwater entering into nearby streams, and provide long-term economic benefits to the communities they surround. In this River Talk, Cumberland River Compact Executive Director Mekayle Houghton and Senior Program Manager of Watershed Planning, Jed Grubbs, join Dr. Chris Barton with Green Forests Work to discuss their approach to reforestation in Appalachia.
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About Green Forests Work:
In this podcast:
- What does Green Forests Work do?
- What are the ecological benefits of reforesting formerly mined lands?
- How is reforestation in Appalachia linked to green jobs and economic benefits?
- How could reforestation help to promote ecotourism?
- What are the best ways people in Middle Tennessee can help to promote water quality in Appalachia?
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Learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode: