Bosland Growth Launches Spring Reforestation Across Appalachian Mine Lands with Support from Suntory Group
Rethinking reforestation: why degraded lands may hold the greatest long-term climate potential
Appalachia, U.S. — May 11, 2026 — Bosland Growthcompleted its 2026 spring planting season across a growing portfolio of reforestation sites in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, restoring degraded former mine lands through a partnership with global beverage company Suntory Group.
This season, planting has been successfully completed across multiple sites ranging from approximately 30 to more than 100 acres, including projects in Pennsylvania’s Clearfield and Cambria counties and in Barbour County, West Virginia. The work focused on transforming compacted, previously unusable land into healthy, biodiverse forest ecosystems.
Bosland Growth utilizes the Forestry Reclamation Approach (FRA), a proven, science-based method developed specifically for restoring forests on former mine lands. By addressing soil compaction and reintroducing native species, FRA enables long-term forest growth, improved ecosystem function, and increased carbon sequestration potential.
Across the U.S., millions of acres of degraded land remain underutilized, particularly in regions shaped by extractive industries. While these lands present significant restoration challenges, they also represent an untapped opportunity for ecosystem recovery and local economic benefit.
“Degraded mine lands don’t have to stay that way,” said Michael Knoop, Vice President for Landowner Engagement at Bosland Growth. “By working alongside landowners and applying proven restoration methods, we’re returning these sites to productive use—establishing healthy, resilient forests that can provide ecological and economic value for decades to come.”
The partnership with Suntory Group reflects Bosland’s commitment to creating permanent working forests and enabling long-term landowner participation. This work is supported by a broader coalition of funding and technical partners, including the USDA Forest Service, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities, Susquehanna River Basin Commission, Richard King Mellon Foundation, Invest Appalachia, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Partnering with Bosland to reforest former mine land with landowners aligns with our sustainability initiatives", said Masaaki Fujiwara, Managing Executive Officer and Division COO of the Supply Chain Division at Suntory Holdings. “Supporting reforestation efforts like this underscores our commitment to responsible sourcing, forest regeneration, and environmental preservation.”
Bosland Growth’s model emphasizes full lifecycle involvement, from landowner enrollment and site design to implementation and long-term forest stewardship, ensuring that projects result not just in tree planting but in the gradual development of functioning forest ecosystems.
“Reforestation delivers such a broad range of positive outcomes,” said Todd Appel, President and CEO at Bosland Growth. “To fund our work, we assemble a diverse coalition of corporate, philanthropic, and public partners focused on sustainable forestry, land conservation, water quality, and biodiversity.”
Through its Appalachian reforestation initiative, Bosland Growth aims to restore degraded lands with native, climate-resilient species and support economic opportunity in historically underserved regions. As planting continues through the spring season, Bosland is expanding its network of landowners and partners, with additional sites already in development for future planting.
Learn more about current projects
(https://boslandgrowth.com/landowners)
and landowner opportunities
(https://boslandgrowth.com/landowners)
About Bosland Growth
Bosland Growth is a nonprofit reforestation developer focused on restoring forests on formerly mined and degraded lands across Appalachia. By combining scientific expertise with a hands-on, partnership-driven approach, Bosland works with landowners, conservation organizations, and funders to bring challenging lands back to life. Using the Forestry Reclamation Approach, Bosland designs and implements native, biodiverse forests that improve ecosystem health, support local communities, and create lasting environmental impact.