The Kentucky Department for Natural Resources (DNR) and the U.S. Office of Surface Mining (OSM) held an Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative (ARRI) Arbor Day celebration sponsored by the International Coal Group (ICG) at their Tip Top Mine in Perry County, Kentucky. 

Students from W.B Muncy and Robinson Elementary Schools planted American Chestnut and oak seedlings with the help of reforestation experts.  The students learned about the critical role of reforestation and the future reclamation plans for the site from the following speakers:

• Lieutenant Governor Daniel Mongiardo, M.D., adventure tourism
• C. Stephen Allred, Assistant Secretary, Department of the Interior, Land and Minerals Management
• Hank List, Deputy Secretary of the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet
• Larry Arnett, Deputy Commissioner of DNR
• W. Scott Perkins, ICG
• Joe Blackburn, U.S. Office of Surface Mining
• Dr. Tammy Horn, Eastern Kentucky University, reforestation with bee-friendly trees and beekeeping infrastructure in Hazard 
• David Ledford, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, elk restoration in Kentucky
• Scott Freidhof, President of the Kentucky Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation
• Paul Rothman, Environmental scientist for DNR
  
  Photographs of the event can be viewed here.