OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING/VOLUNTEERS IN SERVICE TO AMERICA (OSM/VISTA)
Appalachian Coal Country Watershed Team l Anthracite Heritage Alliance l OSM/VISTAs l Goals & Project
Appalachian Coal Country Watershed Team
The Appalachian Coal Country Watershed Team (ACCWT) is a coalition of change-minded community improvement groups from the eight states that make up the Appalachian region: Alabama, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. The organizations are determined to repair the environmental degradation left from historic coal mining while creating the economic stability needed in watersheds and communities. The ACCWT is supported by a partnership between the Office of Surface Mining and AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America). College-trained OSM/VISTA volunteers work in mining communities for a year of service. For more information, visit www.ACCWT.org.
Anthracite Heritage Alliance
The Anthracite Heritage Alliance is a partnership of ACCWT members within the anthracite coal region of Northeastern Pennsylvania. The Alliance includes heritage regions, watershed groups, and conservation districts in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Carbon, Schuylkill, Northumberland, Columbia, and Dauphin counties. The member organizations and OSM/VISTA volunteers work together on environmental and heritage projects. For more information, contact the OSM/VISTA regional coordinator Dorian Roffe-Hammond at Dorian@delawareandlehigh.org.
OSM/VISTAs in the Lackawanna Heritage Valley
The Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority (LHVA) hosts OSM/VISTA volunteer Christopher Bludgus. A recent graduate of Marywood University, Chris resides in Dunmore. He has a strong background in community service. He came to Scranton from New Jersey to attend Marywood, and he has developed a commitment to the region, its culture, and its people.
Chris works with LHVA and the Lackawanna River Corridor Association (LRCA) to accomplish the five Coal Goals of the ACCWT.
Lindsey Ritchey, a native of Mechanicsburg, PA, is a graduate of George Mason University in Virginia. She has a strong interest in environmental science and education, particularly concerning water resources. A recent graduate of Marywood University, Christopher Bludgus resides in Dunmore. He has a strong background in community service. He came to Scranton from New Jersey to attend Marywood, and he has developed a commitment to the region, its culture, and its people.
ACCWT Goals and Projects
Core Goal #1: Build the capacity of participating organizations to enable long-term stability and success.
- The OSM/VISTAs write grants to fund environmental, educational, and heritage programs. They assisted in writing the application for a TreeVitalize grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). The $200,000 grant is being distributed among local municipalities to increase tree canopy cover in Pennsylvania’s metropolitan areas.
- The OSM/VISTAs established LHVA’s first ever volunteer program, “Ambassadors in Action.” Volunteers assist with trail clean-ups and the Trail and Greenway Study, among other projects.
- The OSM/VISTAs work with the Lackawanna River Corridor Association’s River Watch volunteers to raise funds for LRCA with events such as the Rivefest Canoe-a-thon, the River Bike Race, and the Polar Bear Plunge dunk tank social.
Core Goal #2: Assist sponsor organizations in conducting the watershed research and water quality monitoring critical to future funding.
- The OSM/VISTAs work with LRCA, the Conservation District, and volunteers to compile data needed to assess the health of the Lackawanna River watershed and to plan remediation projects.
- They partnered with the Susquehanna River Basin Commission to sample acid mine drainage sites and to monitor stormwater conditions. They are working to identify impaired and improved streams.
Core Goal #3: Assist sponsor organizations in enhancing community awareness and involvement through education and outreach.
- The OSM/VISTAs work with local media outlets to promote their organizations, the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail, the Great NEPA Clean-Up, and other events.
- The OSM/VISTAs work with schools, scouts, and other youth groups to teach students about the Lackawanna River, acid mine drainage, and aquatic life. These programs include “Community Connections to Our Watershed” and the bi-county Envirothon competition.
Core Goal #4: Assist sponsor organizations in efforts of community revitalization through economic development projects, as well as those that celebrate and increase awareness and understanding of local history and culture.
- The OSM/VISTAs work with LHVA to develop the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail.
- They helped to design and to conduct the Greenway and Trail Survey to assess trail user needs and the economic impact of the trail as part of the Lackawanna Greenway Plan and LRHT Feasibility Study.
- The OSM/VISTAs collect data in order to promote historical sites within the Lackawanna Greenway.
Goal 5: Assist the OSM/VISTA member and sponsor site to better prepare him or her to become a valuable Team member, broaden his or her ability to engage with watershed and community development issues, and enhance his or her opportunities for future employment.
- The OSM/VISTAs attend regular trainings and network with local agencies.
- They gave a presentation on anthracite region history at the 2009 Abandoned Mine Reclamation & Coal Mining Heritage Conference in Johnstown, PA.
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