# Ohio family turns 60-acre mine scar into forest for US 250th

2026-08-14T08:47:01+00:00 | World & Diplomacy | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

A family in Jackson County, Ohio, has restored a 60-acre former coal mine into a native forest to mark America’s 250th anniversary. The land, abandoned for over two decades, was reclaimed through the Ohio Abandoned Mine Land Program and the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative. About 700 native tree seedlings per acre were planted this spring, with the family hand-planting a 2-acre section. The project began in 2021 when the landowners sought help from foresters during the pandemic. The U.S. Department of the Interior’s surface mining office reports the site now supports wildlife, improved soil, and serves as a model for restoring degraded lands across Appalachia.

## Coverage

- timesofindia.indiatimes.com <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/in-2021-an-ohio-family-set-out-to-restore-60-acres-of-abandoned-mine-land-five-years-later-native-trees-are-bringing-it-back-to-life/articleshow/133230415.cms>

Tags: Appalachia, environmental restoration, mine reclamation, Ohio, reforestation, US 250th anniversary
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