Across Appalachia

Environmental and cultural news briefs

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ARP’s co-executive directors Tiffany (left) and Taysha DeVaughan (right) cut the ribbon at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on ARP’s land in Roxana, KY. (PC- Dr. Artie Ann Bates)

Community-based Indigenous organization acquires property on proposed federal prison site as part of grassroots effort to create a different future for Eastern Kentucky

The Appalachian Rekindling Project held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate its recent purchase of a 63-acre plot of land within the currently designated boundaries of a federal prison proposed for construction in Letcher County, Kentucky.

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New Effort to Reduce ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Drinking Water

The Environmental Protection Agency set stricter limits on the levels of certain PFAS chemicals in drinking water and is providing funding to test and treat public water systems and private wells.

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Study Predicts Five-fold Increase in Regional Wildfires

A recent study warns of a dramatic increase in the amount of land burned by wildfires in southern Appalachian forests, and provides information for fire and land management strategies.

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Pisgah View, North Carolina’s Newest State Park, Moves Forward

A 1,300-acre land acquisition advances North Carolina’s newest state park to the master planning stage.

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Castle in the Sun

“Kids look at it, and they see a castle,” says Scott Miller, executive director of Just For Kids Advocacy Center, of the nonprofit organization’s new Beckley, West Virginia, headquarters. That castle is now solar-powered by a 14-panel ground array, which was unveiled in a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 25.

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