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Earth Conservancy Overview

Earth Conservancy was formed in 1992 as a non-profit organization dedicated to the reclamation and reutilization of former coal mining lands in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, through partnerships with governmental agencies, educational institutions, area businesses, residents and other conservation organizations.

After obtaining $14 million in grant funding and an additional $2 million in loans, Earth Conservancy purchased 16,300 acres of land from the former Blue Coal Corporation, which had declared bankruptcy in the 1970s. The land purchase was finalized in 1994, and Earth Conservancy began working to return the lands

to productive use.

View of old rail bridge in Sugar Notch area

From the outset, Earth Conservancy’s objectives have been to:

· Reclaim land and water areas damaged by past coal mining practices

· Create recreational areas that will improve the quality of life for area residents and will attract visitors and new residents to the region

· Establish conservation areas to preserve the beauty, history, and natural environment inherent to this area

· Cultivate economic development opportunities that will enhance the economic outlook for the region

The land holdings are located throughout Luzerne County’s Lower Wyoming Valley, with a majority existing in non-contiguous parcels. Most of the land is located south and southwest of Wilkes-Barre in Hanover, Newport and Plymouth Townships.

After purchasing the land, Earth Conservancy embarked on creating in-depth land use studies as a way to guide planning, reclamation and development efforts. Those efforts produced four important land use plans that guide our efforts to this day. Those reports include:

· The Earth Conservancy Land Use Plan

· The Lower Wyoming Valley Open Space Master Plan

· The Mixed Use Master Plan

· The I-81 Exit 168/Route 115 Connector Road Master Plan

Each of the studies was created in partnership with diverse committees that included conservation organizations, government agencies, elected officials and area residents. Some of the studies marked the first comprehensive land use planning that had occurred in some areas of Luzerne County.

Through 2006, Earth Conservancy has:

· Reclaimed more than 1,046 acres at a cost of more than $16 million

· Identified 1,107 acres for current reclamation

· Reserved more than 10,000 acres for green/recreational space

· Donated 166 acres valued at $1.5 million to 21 local entities.

EC accomplishes its mission through:

Reclamation Mine Drainage/Artificial Wetlands Land Use Plan Mixed-Use Plan

Open Space Plan Composting Forest Game Program Environmental Technologies

Land Sales/Development Opportunities

EC is registered with the non-profit website

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