Cambria County Projects

About the Project

Bosland Growth is working with public and nonprofit partners to restore forests on lands formerly impacted by mining in the West Branch Susquehanna River headwaters in Cambria County, PA. Two complementary projects at Basking Hill Nature Reserve and at Northern Cambria Borough demonstrate how reforestation can rebuild ecological integrity, improve watershed health, and create long-term public benefits.

Basking Hill Nature Reserve — Cambria County, PA

The Basking Hill Nature Reserve includes a mix of forest, meadow, and reclaimed mine lands across a 365-acre landscape. Bosland is partnering with Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC) to reforest approximately 33 acres of formerly surface-mined land beginning in Spring 2026.

The project focuses on:

  • Rebuilding soil function on reclaimed mine benches

  • Increasing native canopy cover

  • Enhancing habitat connectivity across the reserve

  • Improving watershed health in the West Branch Susquehanna basin

  • Creating a long-term, diverse forest that sequesters carbon

Learn more about the Basking Hill Nature Reserve on the WPC website

Northern Cambria Borough Bosland Growth is also reforesting a 43-acre area along the West Branch Susquehanna River, recently acquired by Northern Cambria Borough, with support from WPC. The site was once the location of a coal mine waste pile, which was removed and reclaimed prior to acquisition. With the land now stabilized, Bosland Growth is restoring native forest cover to:

  • Improve soil health and stabilize the reclaimed landscape

  • Enhance habitat along the river corridor

  • Reduce runoff and add to long-term watershed resilience

  • Support wildlife and strengthen riparian forest connectivity

Upstream acid mine drainage treatment has transformed this stretch of the West Branch into clean, cold water that supports Class A Wild Trout. Both Basking Hill Nature Reserve and the Northern Cambria Borough property serve as new public fishing and recreation areas, expanding community access to high-quality outdoor resources.

Northern Cambria site preparation prior to planting native seedlings.