EARTH DAY EVENT

DISTRICT MINING OPERATIONS
GREENSBURG DISTRICT OFFICE

On Friday, April 18, 1997, in honor of the 27^th anniversary of Earth Day, the staff of the Greensburg District Mining Office coordinated a tree planting event at Ohiopyle State Park in Fayette County.

Mike Hassett, an inspector supervisor with the Greensburg D.O. and this years Earth Day Coordinator, stated "In keeping with this years theme of Do Your Share! volunteers from a wide variety of local groups picked up shovels and pitched in to make a difference". Participating in the tree-planting were volunteers from the park staff; Bob Roth from the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Sierra Club; staff from the Greensburg Office; Jeff Jarrett, Director of District Mining Operations; and Brother Corneilius with 32 children ( ages 11-14 ) from the Society of Brothers.

Over four thousand seedlings (a mixture of white pine, scotch pine, and black locust) were provided by the Dunbar Office of the PA Game Commission. In addition to providing a natural wildlife habitat the trees will help to stabilize the steep slope left by the abandoned Harbison-Walker clay mine at this site.

Mike Hassett gives an impromptu class on environmental management to a group of eager youngsters.

Mike stated that the Greensburg Office plans on making this an annual event with additional tree planting on other sections of the mine site. "Thanks to the dedication and hard work of the volunteers, especially the children, this event was a wonderful success. Everyone learned a good deal about fellowship, land reclamation, and tree and wildlife survival".

Gladine McMaster and Coletta Schein, of the Greensburg District Office, stop to enjoy lunch in the midst of the tree planting activities.

Jeff Jarrett, Director of District Mining Operations (right), discusses the day’s events with Lew Williams and Barb Drbal of Ohiopyle State Park.

A tired but happy crew poses for a group picture at the end of a long day