THE LUZERNE FOUNDATION COMMUNITY CHAMPION OF THE WEEK THE Luzerne FOUNDATION Here for good. Community Champion of the Week Earth Conservancy Earth For decades, the former Blue Coal lands in Luzerne County sat idle-thousands Conservancy of as damaged by pre-regulatory anthracite mining and locked in bankruptcy. In 1992, Nanticoke native and Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski proposed an ambitious experiment: create a nonprofit organization to acquire the land, repair it, and guide it toward a productive future. That idea became Earth Conservancy. goftheber Bruder (Norrest Side of Brader Historical image of for 200-ave His Bank site in Nas Hover Body, and Neoport Bonip, prior Earth Conservancy completed its purchase of the Blue Coal land 16,500 acres in 1994. It then launched its effort to, as Kanjorski put it, "recycle our past for a better future." His vision, rooted in community partnership and long- term stewardship, helped establish a national model for post-industrial land reuse. The organization has since reclaimed more than 2,000 acres of mine-scarred land, restored miles of degraded streams, constructed acid mine drainage treatment systems, and preserved over 9,300 acres for trails, parks, wildlife habitat, agriculture, and open space. Of that total, more than 8,000 acres are now open to the public as part of Pennsylvania's Pinchot State Forest, with a long-term conservation goal of 10,000 acres. Beyond restoration, Earth Conservancy's work focuses on long-term community benefit. The organization has developed comprehensive land-use plans, operates a large-scale composting facility, leads a variety of environmental education initiatives, and supports municipalities and local groups through mission-aligned investments in parks, recreation, infrastructure, education, and other community needs. Earth Conservancy also recognizes that environmental recovery and economic vitality are not mutually exclusive. Approximately 1,500 acres of its land have supported more than $1 billion in private investment in the Lower South Valley, creating jobs and providing sites for commercial, industrial, and housing development. More than 30 View of Earth moved Epy Random and Over one of comply years after its founding, Earth Conservancy continues Congressman Kanjorski's original vision: a long-term effort with a clear purpose and an eventual end. Significant mining scars still exist, but steady progress-made possible through persistence, innovation, and many partnerships - has shown what's possible when damaged lands are treated as an opportunity, turning them into assets that serve communities today and strengthen the region's future. Working together makes our community stronger. If you have a cause near to your heart and want to make a difference" here in Northeastern Pennsylvania and beyond, please call us at the Luzerne View of Earth Conservancy's retained and wired Foundation or visit www.luzfdn.org for Reservoir, part of a 1.400-acre parcel Earth Cymore information. Bank project. In the foreground in the Har to the State Do you want to make our community better? So do we. Let's do it together. Because of you and for you, we are... Here for good.M THE LUZERNE FOUNDATION 34 SOUTH RIVER ST. WILKES-BARRE, PA 18702 WWW.LUZFDN.ORG 570.822.2065 THE LUZERNE FOUNDATION COMMUNITY CHAMPION OF THE WEEK THE Luzerne FOUNDATION Here for good . Community Champion of the Week Earth Conservancy Earth For decades , the former Blue Coal lands in Luzerne County sat idle - thousands Conservancy of as damaged by pre - regulatory anthracite mining and locked in bankruptcy . In 1992 , Nanticoke native and Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski proposed an ambitious experiment : create a nonprofit organization to acquire the land , repair it , and guide it toward a productive future . That idea became Earth Conservancy . goftheber Bruder ( Norrest Side of Brader Historical image of for 200 - ave His Bank site in Nas Hover Body , and Neoport Bonip , prior Earth Conservancy completed its purchase of the Blue Coal land 16,500 acres in 1994. It then launched its effort to , as Kanjorski put it , " recycle our past for a better future . " His vision , rooted in community partnership and long- term stewardship , helped establish a national model for post - industrial land reuse . The organization has since reclaimed more than 2,000 acres of mine - scarred land , restored miles of degraded streams , constructed acid mine drainage treatment systems , and preserved over 9,300 acres for trails , parks , wildlife habitat , agriculture , and open space . Of that total , more than 8,000 acres are now open to the public as part of Pennsylvania's Pinchot State Forest , with a long - term conservation goal of 10,000 acres . Beyond restoration , Earth Conservancy's work focuses on long - term community benefit . The organization has developed comprehensive land - use plans , operates a large - scale composting facility , leads a variety of environmental education initiatives , and supports municipalities and local groups through mission - aligned investments in parks , recreation , infrastructure , education , and other community needs . Earth Conservancy also recognizes that environmental recovery and economic vitality are not mutually exclusive . Approximately 1,500 acres of its land have supported more than $ 1 billion in private investment in the Lower South Valley , creating jobs and providing sites for commercial , industrial , and housing development . More than 30 View of Earth moved Epy Random and Over one of comply years after its founding , Earth Conservancy continues Congressman Kanjorski's original vision : a long - term effort with a clear purpose and an eventual end . Significant mining scars still exist , but steady progress - made possible through persistence , innovation , and many partnerships - has shown what's possible when damaged lands are treated as an opportunity , turning them into assets that serve communities today and strengthen the region's future . Working together makes our community stronger . If you have a cause near to your heart and want to make a difference " here in Northeastern Pennsylvania and beyond , please call us at the Luzerne View of Earth Conservancy's retained and wired Foundation or visit www.luzfdn.org for Reservoir , part of a 1.400 - acre parcel Earth Cymore information . Bank project . In the foreground in the Har to the State Do you want to make our community better ? So do we . Let's do it together . Because of you and for you , we are ... Here for good . M THE LUZERNE FOUNDATION 34 SOUTH RIVER ST . WILKES - BARRE , PA 18702 WWW.LUZFDN.ORG 570.822.2065