An effort in southeast Ohio could turn roughly 850 acres of former coal-company land into a publicly accessible community forest, creating a major connection between existing protected and recreational lands. Local stakeholders are negotiating with the Sugar Creek Coal and Mining Company to acquire the property in Dover Township and establish the Sugar Creek Community Forest. The project could ultimately link the Bailey’s portion of Wayne National Forest with Strouds Run State Park, connecting about 74,000 acres in Athens County. The details come from the announcement for the upcoming Sugar Creek Community Forest town hall, alongside information published by the Ohio Environmental Council and project partners.
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