Ohio Coal Land to Become Community Forest

An initiative in southeast Ohio is working to convert about 850 acres of former Sugar Creek Coal and Mining Company land into the Sugar Creek Community Forest. This project, located in Dover Township, aims to create a publicly accessible space for community benefit in perpetuity. Local stakeholders are negotiating the acquisition of this land, which has historical ties to coal mining.

The proposed forest is strategically positioned to serve as a crucial ecological and recreational link. It is intended to connect the Bailey's portion of the Wayne National Forest with Strouds Run State Park, potentially creating a continuous landscape of approximately 74,000 acres in Athens County. This linkage is vital for wildlife habitat and public trail networks.

Beyond conservation, the Sugar Creek Community Forest envisions supporting a range of activities including recreation, hunting, foraging, and firewood gathering. Plans also extend to educational programs, sustainable tourism, and the development of forest-based businesses and workforce training. This reflects a regenerative conservation and economic model for Appalachian Ohio.

The project also emphasizes ecological restoration, particularly within the Sunday Creek Watershed, which has been affected by past mining. Partnerships, including those with Rising Appalachia and the Ohio Environmental Council, are integral to this restoration work. A community town hall was scheduled for September 28 in Chauncey to gather public input.

Supporters view the community forest as a future economic asset, fostering local entrepreneurship in land-based industries. The success of the project hinges on completing the land acquisition, with ongoing efforts to involve residents in shaping the future of this significant natural resource.