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*Estimated carbon sequestration is 20 kg of CO2e per tree accumulated over five years, based on low estimates of dry and humid tropical growth rates from global restoration databases.

Actual carbon impact of each Priceless Planet Coalition restoration project will be assessed after five years based on data collected throughout the monitoring process.

Creating economic and environmental betterment in Appalachia

Conservation International is partnering with Green Forests Work (GFW) to restore degraded mine sites in Appalachia, with an aim to create jobs and revitalize the environment and economy in counties impacted by the decline in the coal industry. GFW will restore a former coal mine by planting a declining forest type (i.e., shortleaf pine-upland oak woodland) that will help to improve air and water quality, enhance forest resiliency, mitigate climate change through increased carbon accumulation, provide multi-seasonal pollen and nectar sources for pollinators and make the sites more productive for wildlife.

Restoration methods

Active tree planting
The planting of seedlings over an area with little or no forest canopy to meet specific goals.

Tree species

The project area will be replanted to shortleaf pine-upland oak forests typical of eastern Kentucky and the Cumberland Plateau.

  • Shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata)
  • White oak (Quercus alba)
  • Chestnut oak (Quercus prinus)
  • Hickory (Carya spp.)
  • Black cherry (Prunus serotina)
  • Yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera)
  • Sugar maple (Acer saccharum)
  • Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)