April 25, 2025 - Ninth grade students in Russell County marked the celebration of Arbor Day 2025 on Thursday, April 24, planting some 1,500 trees on a former abandoned mine land site which is in the process of being reclaimed near Dante, VA. The land is now owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy.

The event was hosted by the Metallurgical Coal Producers Association (MCPA), Virginia Energy, The Nature Conservancy, the Office of Surface Mining and Reclamation Enforcement (OSMRE), the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF), the Virginia Department of Wildlife (DWR), Dominion Energy, Russell County Reclamation, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Enervest, Virginia Clean Cities and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).

Ninth grade students in Russell County planted trees in celebration of Arbor Day Thursday. Students planted some 1,500 trees on an abandoned mine land site now being reclaimed near Dante. VA. The event was hosted by the Metallurgical Coal Producers Association (MCPA), Virginia Energy, The Nature Conservancy, the Office of Surface Mining and Reclamation Enforcement (OSMRE), the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF), the Virginia Department of Wildlife (DWR), Dominion Energy, Russell County Reclamation, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Enervest, Virginia Clean Cities and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).

Additional support was received from Jennmar, RAMACO Resources, SunCoke Energy and Simmons Equipment Co.

“MCPA was pleased to be one of the hosts of the Arbor Day celebration along with Virginia Energy and our other partners, coal producers, suppliers and supporters in the area and to take the opportunity to draw attention to reclamation efforts that go on in our industry every day,” said MCPA Chairman J.P. Richardson.

Approximately 150 Russell County students took part in the Arbor Day celebration and in the process learned a little more about reclamation processes and tree planting. They also had the opportunity to visit energy-related educational booths set up at the event site and were treated to lunch.

Arbor Day has a rich history dating back to the 1800s. It was first kicked off in April 1872 in Nebraska when a million trees were planted. It was officially proclaimed as Arbor Day in 1874 in Nebraska. By 1920, more than 45 states and territories were celebrating Arbor Day. The tree planting tradition became prominent in schools across the nation in 1882 and has continued. Today, Arbor Day is celebrated in all 50 states.

“Today, as you get your hands dirty planting trees, you’re continuing this amazing tradition of Arbor Day,” said Lisa Baker, of Virginia Energy. “You’re joining millions of people around the globe that are planting trees today to make our country more beautiful and you’re also doing reclamation.”

“Today as you plant these trees, you are planting hope,” said Virginia Energy Director of Coal Programs Randy Moore. “A single tree can grow to become shelter for wildlife; cleans the air; and inspires all for decades. Plant that one single tree today and think about what that’s going to mean.”

The overall site on which the trees were planted is 21.5 acres. Twenty acres have already been planted leaving an acre and a half the students worked to plant on Thursday.