The Appalachian Coal Country Team (ACCT) An OSM/VISTA Initiative Our mission is to provide rural communities impoverished by environmental degradation and its consequences the help they need to make their home-place-watersheds healthier places to live and work.

The Appalachian Coal Country Team (ACCT) An OSM/VISTA Initiative In Coal Country there are over 3 million people who live within 1 mile of an AML site

The Appalachian Coal Country Team (ACCT) An OSM/VISTA Initiative Appalachian Coal Country Team (ACCT): Founded in 2002 Assist rural communities impacted by pre-regulatory environmental degradation and its consequences in making their homelands healthier places to live and work. Place college-educated OSM/VISTA Volunteers with community/watershed organizations for 1 year. Provide support and training for OSM/VISTAs and their Supervisors Serve: PA, OH, MD, WV, VA, KY, TN, AL Currently 37 ACCT OSM/VISTAs in the field

The Appalachian Coal Country Team (ACCT) An OSM/VISTA Initiative Ten Years of Service ( ) Highlights During our decade of service, the ACCT Placed and trained 214 OSM/VISTAs – 90 of those relocated from outside of Appalachia and have stayed in the region! Supported 114 Appalachian Community Groups Secured $8.5 million in grants Developed $7.9 million in-kind resources Logged 520,000 hours of service by community volunteers

Community Groups The Appalachian Coal Country Team (ACCT) An OSM/VISTA Initiative

Core Goals 1.Capacity Building 2.Economic Development 3.Environmental Stewardship 4.Education and Outreach 5.Professional Development Core Goals 1.Capacity Building 2.Economic Development 3.Environmental Stewardship 4.Education and Outreach 5.Professional Development The Appalachian Coal Country Team (ACCT) An OSM/VISTA Initiative VISTA positions are valued at $22,000 sites hosting an OSM/VISTA is $7,000

Capacity Building The Appalachian Coal Country Team (ACCT) An OSM/VISTA Initiative Recruited 1,504Volunteers Logging 71,130 hours of service Leveraged $209,591 in in-kind resources Secured $760,753in grants OSM/VISTAs write grants, recruit volunteers, build/strengthen community partnerships with other community improvement organizations Established 889 partnerships

Economic Development The Appalachian Coal Country Team (ACCT) An OSM/VISTA Initiative ~ 200 projects this year! OSM/VISTAs implement or develop projects that encourage tourism, cultural heritage preservation, community gardens, green energy, and sustainability.

Environmental Stewardship The Appalachian Coal Country Team (ACCT) An OSM/VISTA Initiative AMD sites monitored 121 AMD Remediation projects started 1096 sites monitored for water quality 37,759 trees planted on ~165.5 acres 568 AMD sites monitored 121 AMD Remediation projects started 1096 sites monitored for water quality 37,759 trees planted on ~165.5 acres

Outreach and Education The Appalachian Coal Country Team (ACCT) An OSM/VISTA Initiative OSM/VISTAs create outdoor classrooms, develop and implement environmental educational programs for youth, partnerships with local 4-H, Boy and Girl Scouts, local school districts, etc. Conducted 148 presentations reaching 8,143 students Held 219 community events Conducted 148 presentations reaching 8,143 students Held 219 community events

Professional Development The Appalachian Coal Country Team (ACCT) An OSM/VISTA Initiative ACCT host two biannual trainings for OSM/VISTAS and their supervisors OSM/VISTAs participate widely in professional conferences ACCT host two biannual trainings for OSM/VISTAS and their supervisors OSM/VISTAs participate widely in professional conferences

The Appalachian Coal Country Team (ACCT) An OSM/VISTA Initiative Intern Program (NEW!) 1700 hours of work (12 month position) Member is earns a stipend of $12,100 a month Member receives Education award after No pre-requisites for hosting $20,500 –which covers the cost to support the Member 1700 hours of work (12 month position) Member is earns a stipend of $12,100 a month Member receives Education award after No pre-requisites for hosting $20,500 –which covers the cost to support the Member Projects include: Mapping and monitoring Creating educational programs Training volunteers Creating newsletters Creating survey protocols Establishing databases Building Rehabilitation Projects include: Mapping and monitoring Creating educational programs Training volunteers Creating newsletters Creating survey protocols Establishing databases Building Rehabilitation

The Appalachian Coal Country Team (ACCT) An OSM/VISTA Initiative Environmental Stewards Summer Programs This summers Environmental Steward program consisted of 52 members, across 14 states Activities include: Map and historical building preservation Trail building/restoration Water quality surveys Removal of invasive species Educating the public on conservation. This summers Environmental Steward program consisted of 52 members, across 14 states Activities include: Map and historical building preservation Trail building/restoration Water quality surveys Removal of invasive species Educating the public on conservation. 29 community gardens were created Over 5 miles of trails built 10 acres of invasive species removed 29 community gardens were created Over 5 miles of trails built 10 acres of invasive species removed

The Appalachian Coal Country Team (ACCT) An OSM/VISTA Initiative OSM/AmeriCorps Regulatory Members The program has27 members for the year The members are supported by both OSM Headquarters in DC and OSM Appalachian Region The program has27 members for the year The members are supported by both OSM Headquarters in DC and OSM Appalachian Region Members participate in projects such as: Attending mine inspections Creating web sites Digitizing maps Tracking fills and much more Members participate in projects such as: Attending mine inspections Creating web sites Digitizing maps Tracking fills and much more

The Appalachian Coal Country Team (ACCT) An OSM/VISTA Initiative Reforestation Initiative Since 2009, the ACCT Reforestation Initiative has: Planted 719,175 trees Reforested 1,032.4 acres Since 2009, the ACCT Reforestation Initiative has: Planted 719,175 trees Reforested 1,032.4 acres In 2012 the ACCT Reforestation Initiative has : Planted 54,175 Reforested 112.4acres Recruited 7,478 hours of volunteer service In 2012 the ACCT Reforestation Initiative has : Planted 54,175 Reforested 112.4acres Recruited 7,478 hours of volunteer service Look for an opportunity to apply for $$ to support your Reforestation Project!

The Appalachian Coal Country Team (ACCT) An OSM/VISTA Initiative NCCC Initiative Two Teams awarded in spring 2012 Two Teams awarded in fall 2012 Potential for winter 2012 Team Two Teams awarded in spring 2012 Two Teams awarded in fall 2012 Potential for winter 2012 Team Spring 2012 Teams served across Appalachia for 10 weeks Combined the Teams: Planted 9260 trees Reforested 10.2 acres Beautified acres of land Spring 2012 Teams served across Appalachia for 10 weeks Combined the Teams: Planted 9260 trees Reforested 10.2 acres Beautified acres of land

The Appalachian Coal Country Team (ACCT) An OSM/VISTA Initiative Training Appalachian Coal Country Team Semiannual Training The ACCT covers the costs for members attendance, secures trainers and provides fun cultural learning opportunities

The Appalachian Coal Country Team (ACCT) An OSM/VISTA Initiative Visit our website: Call or for more information! April Trent Team Director PH: ext 310 Spencer Moss OSM/VISTA Leader PH: ext 304