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The Appalachian Voice

Saving the Tiny Bog Turtle Could Have a Big Impact on Conservation

a dark bog turtle with yellow markings on its neck

A petition to protect southern bog turtles under the Endangered Species Act could also help protect their mountain bog homes. But with diminishing habitat and other threats, time could run out for North America’s smallest turtles.

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Landfill Remediation Raises New Concerns

An older woman and man stand at a podium, with people seated on either side. Photo is taken from the perspective of an audience member several rows from the stage

As remediation of the troubled Bristol landfill begins, community advocates are petitioning for an alert system, increased air quality monitoring and relief measures for residents who experience strong airborne pollution at home.

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Are We Really Recycling?

pile of empty plastic and aluminum containers

A look at our recycling systems reveals less of our plastic is actually being recycled than one might think.

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Bills Aim to Help Miners with Black Lung and Surviving Family Access Benefits

A painting of boots, a hat and other gear used by coal miners.

Miners with black lung disease face a difficult process to obtain modest benefits, as do their widows. Two bills in Congress aim to help miners with the disease and their bereaved families, including by tying benefit levels to inflation.

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Fighting for Black Lung Benefits for Miners and Families

A woman poses next to her husband with her arm around his shoulders.

Kathryn South’s husband, Mike South, was diagnosed with black lung disease at age 35. As they grappled with his disease, the couple also navigated the arduous legal process to obtain federal black lung benefits, a fight that Kathryn continued even after Mike’s passing.

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The Root that Shaped a Region

smiling man crouches near ginseng plants in the forest

Luke Manget, author of the book “Ginseng Diggers: A History of Root and Herb Gathering in Appalachia,” discusses the complex and impactful history of ginseng and root digging.

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Contaminants Found in East Tennessee Springs

Two men stand on a gravel road outdoors next to a truck and another man crouched next to white buckets.

Springs are often assumed to be a safe, clean source of drinking water. But they can harbor a number of health hazards, as new research published in the journal Geosciences shows.

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Native Plant Rescue Squad Aims to Boost the Biodiversity of Tennessee Neighborhoods

three smiling people and a dog in a greenhouse

By saving native plants from destruction and helping these plants find new homes, the Native Plant Rescue Squad is “helping reconnect people to themselves through the natural world.”

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Snorkelers Explore Appalachia’s Diverse Freshwater Life

Two young snorkelers exploring a shallow river.

The rivers and streams of southern Appalachia attract snorkelers with their wide variety of species and beautiful sites.

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Virginia Agency Orders Bristol to Address Polluting Landfill

two people in front of a large guitar statue hold signs about the landfill problems

Residents are hopeful after the Bristol Virginia City Council responds to the state Department of Environmental Quality’s order to address landfill concerns.

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