Activists Transform Former Coal Mine Into Wildlife Sanctuary Instead of Prison
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📰 The quick summary: Activists purchased 63 acres of former strip mine land in Kentucky to prevent prison construction and restore the natural ecosystem, offering a sustainable alternative to incarceration-based economic development.
📈 One key stat: The Appalachian Rekindling Project raised $160,000 to purchase land that could help protect over 6,000 feet of streams and two acres of wetlands from damage.
💬 One key quote: “This land has already suffered from extraction,” said Taysha DeVaughan, an activist and enrolled member of the Comanche Nation. “We want to protect it from further harm and give it a voice.”
1️⃣ The big picture: Activists in eastern Kentucky have successfully purchased 63 acres of former strip mine land to prevent the construction of a federal prison and instead restore the natural ecosystem. The Appalachian Rekindling Project (ARP) plans to reintroduce native plants, animals, and even bison to the site near Roxana. This effort represents a growing movement called ‘rewilding prison land,’ which aims to transform former industrial sites into nature preserves rather than correctional facilities. The federal government has been attempting to build a prison in this location since 2006, with final approval granted in 2023 for a facility that would house over 1,300 inmates.
2️⃣ Why is this good news: The land purchase offers environmental protection for an area already damaged by mountaintop removal mining. Rewilding this former strip mine can improve climate resilience by restoring forests and wetlands that absorb water and prevent flooding, potentially reducing soil erosion by up to 75% and supporting greater biodiversity. The project creates an opportunity to honor the land’s Indigenous heritage by establishing gathering spaces for Cherokee, Shawnee, and Yuchi communities. This conservation approach challenges the economic reliance on prisons in post-coal Appalachia and demonstrates that sustainable, community-driven alternatives exist for regional development.
3️⃣ What’s next: Despite this victory, legal challenges remain as the Bureau of Prisons can still acquire other parcels to continue with construction plans. ARP hopes to secure more land for conservation and continue advocating against using former coal sites for prison development. The group aims to create sustainable economic opportunities that don’t rely on harmful industries.
Read the full story here: Happy Eco News – Rewilding Prison Land: A New Approach to Conservation and Justice
