Appalachian Tree Planting Project

On April 17, 2021, the Eastern PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation, coordinated a beautification and apple tree planting project in Centralia, PA, Columbia County, well known for the coal fire that caused many of the residents to abandon the town, yet there are still 7 families that remain to this day.  The town contends with tourists coming to see the town for themselves as an abandoned adventure place. Unfortunately, many visitors are not always respectful of the land. For the past seven years, EPCAMR has held annual cleanups to help clear the area of trash and tires that have been illegally dumped historically around the entire borough. Loaner cameras were installed for nearly two years in partnership with Keep PA Beautiful that also served as a great deterrent to illegal dumpers. The tree planting through the Appalachian Tree Planting Project was a culmination event to plant 100 dwarf apple trees from 14 different varieties on vacant lots since the cleanup efforts were very successful. Another 150 trees were given away for free to the 150 volunteers who came that day. Another 100 apple trees and Growboxxes were given away to families throughout the Wyoming Valley as a part of the project at a separate event.

EPCAMR received funding from Inquiring Systems Inc., and the Mental Insight Foundation from California to help beautify the area while offsetting our carbon footprint, improving the wildlife habitat of the area, and promoting ecosystem restoration of the abandoned mine-scarred landscape. The movement towards this beautifying phase helped keep people from seeing the town as a dumping ground for trash. The Graffiti Highway was covered by the landowner during the height of the pandemic in April of 2021 which reduced the large numbers of visitors to Centralia.  The trees are expected to add fruit for years to come. Many of them blossomed after four months of being planted in an innovative, biodegradable conservation planter called the Growboxx, designed by Groasis, an international company in Holland, that was also a partner. EPCAMR partnered with Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership, to donate shelters for the trees as well as some native tree seedlings for a future planting once the 100 apple trees are evaluated for their mortality and growth. Centone Pictures, Wafler Nursery,  Heller Orchards and Ark Rentals were also major partners as well as Tom Hynoski, from Centralia Borough that allowed for the use of the Municipal Building as our central command post. Milkweeds were planted and other native pollinator wildflowers in the Waterboxxes to add some vibrant colors and for the benefit of the numerous monarch butterflies that have been seen migrating through the area.