We are the only wildlife conservation organization in America that is focused on wildlife conservation within the context of coal mining, and are leading the way in developing and implementing conservation measures for wildlife and habitat restoration, and the preservation and restoration of ecosystem services. In partnership with the coal industry, electric utility companies, conservation groups, public agencies, and local communities, we are working on conservation and restoration solutions to landscapes impacted by energy development, especially mining for coal.

Purpose

The goals of the Mine Land Stewardship Initiative (MLSI) are to:

• • Develop principles and measures that promote the conservation and restoration of ecosystem services,
  • Protect water quality
  • Restore and conserve wildlife habitat, and
  • Provide recreational opportunities on participant lands. 

Program participants that subscribe to the principles and measures developed through the MLSI will be subject to rigorous third party certification to ensure performance.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to protect and restore ecosystem services, water quality and wildlife habitat, and promote outdoor recreation, while ensuring America’s energy security now and for future generations.

How The MLSI Will Proceed

The MLSI is managed as a program of the AWF, a 501-c-3 conservation organization.  A Steering Committee has been formed to create the basics of the program and to recruit cooperators and participants.  The five person steering committee includes representatives from Natural Resource Partners, L.P., Alpha Natural Resources, Inc., Arch Coal, Inc., American Electric Power, Duke Energy, and the AWF.

We will solicit input and involvement from other partners through other venues.  These efforts will include:

Besides working through official committees, we will solicit input and involvement from other partners through other venues.  These efforts will include:

1.     Collaborating with a variety of wildlife conservation groups to provide input. 

2.     Collaborating with state wildlife agencies to provide input on desired future condition, wildlife and habitat restoration objectives for mined lands and for incorporating the State Wildlife Grant Plans into our process. 

3.     Collaborating with university scientists and state agencies to outline needs and plans for research pertaining to ecosystem services, protecting water quality, restoring wildlife habitat and incorporating human dimensions into mine land reclamation.