Reforesting Legacy Mine Lands

Developing market-based solutions to reforestation and forestry-focused natural climate solutions is vital to creating a bright forestry future. That’s why the Endowment supports partners like Bosland Growth, who is spearheading an approach that restores legacy mine lands in Appalachia.

With grants and loans from the Endowment, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Bosland Growth’s Legacy Mine Land Restoration Initiative leverages ecosystem markets, primarily through carbon offset credit sales and federal grant funds, to enable upfront project financing. The company pays 100% of the cost of reforesting previously mined areas and pays landowners a per acre fee for a permanent easement on enrolled lands. This results in net-new, high-quality carbon credits that are in demand for companies to meet Net Zero targets.

The pilot project focuses on 1,300 acres in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio. Benefits include increased property values, reduced sediment runoff and improved water filtration, hunting and recreation, habitat for declining species, and increased carbon sequestration. Once completed, the pilot project is estimated to sequester the carbon equivalent to removing emissions from 38,000 vehicles per year.