Dr. Jennifer Franklin
Professor
Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries
Herbert College of Agriculture
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Monday, March 14, 2022
Professor Franklin directs the Restoration and Conservation Science concentration in the Forestry major and teaches research methods of restoring function and biodiversity to temperate forests. She is part of the academic team that supports the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative (ARRI).
To meet the requirements of the federal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) Tennessee changed its Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) program in 1984. To minimize the “benches” and “high-walls” left after coal removal, tailings were graded and then heavily compacted to prevent the movement of sediment. However, while grasses thrived on the compacted material, trees have not been able to establish.
ARRI is a coalition of groups, including citizens, the coal industry, and government dedicated to restoring forests on coal mined lands. This partnership includes environmental organizations, academia and private landowners.
ARRI advocates using a technique known as the Forestry Reclamation Approach (FRA) to plant trees on reclaimed coal mined lands. This approach makes it possible to create productive forestland on reclaimed mine lands under existing laws and regulations.
Citizen volunteers are encouraged to participate in tree plantings.
![Scenic view of a large plantation of young trees and a nearby, older forest.Please also see other images in this series:[url=file_closeup.php?id=15974214][img]file_thumbview_approve.php?size=2&id=15974214[/img][/url] [url=file_closeup.php?id=11130](/images/ARRI_iStock-154954021_1.jpg)