The Kentucky DNR and the U.S. Office of Surface Mining held an Arbor Day celebration at Appalachian Fuels' Bent Mountain surface mine in Pike County, Kentucky.
Johns Creek Elementary School fifth grade science students studied the American Chestnut tree and participated in an essay and poster contest on the topic "Planting the American Chestnut on Kentucky's Reclaimed Mine Site Will Improve Appalachia by ...."
Award winners were announced and American Chestnut seedlings were planted on land mined by Appalachian Fuels. The event was sponsored by Mr. Robert Addington of Appalachian Fuels. The mine is the site of the University of Kentucky's Bent Mountain Reforestation Research Project, which is a joint effort between Appalachian Fuels, the Division of Mine Reclamation and Enforcement (DMRE) and the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative (ARRI).
Back Row (from left) Johns Creek Principal Mr. Roger Wagner, State Representative Keith Hall, State Representative Rocky Adkins, OSM Director William Kovacic (Lexington Office), Ms. Donna McClure representing Senator Mitch McConnell
Front Row: DNR Commissioner Susan Bush, Science Teacher Ms. Johnda Damron, award winners from Johns Creek Elementary
