Executive Director Willa Mays (top), Director of Programs Matt Wasson (middle) and Director of Development and Communications Sandra Diaz (bottom) talk with attendees to 2010 Bioneers about the work of Appalachian Voices. View more photos and download larger resolution versions

This past weekend, Appalachian Voices took the message of “they’re blowing up our mountains, and there oughta be a law” to the premier environmental event of the year, the Bioneers conference. The main conference takes place in San Rafael, Ca, with several locations that “beam” this conference across the nation through a live video stream. With a multimedia Google Earth presentation that highlights both the problem of and the solution to mountaintop removal, we engaged participants, who hailed from all over the country, in why we need them to join the national movement to end mountaintop removal.

It was a great testament to the strength of our movement that many conference-goers were already familiar with the problem of mountaintop removal. We then educated them on the solution- making mountaintop removal illegal through an act of Congress. After signing a pledge to help end mountaintop removal, many left the booth adorned with “I Heart Mountains” buttons and temporary tattoos to help further spread the word.

Appalachian Voices wasn’t the only one to bring this important message to Bioneers. James Hansen, top climate scientist at NASA whose has been actively protesting mountaintop removal, spoke to the issue, as well Bioneers board member David Orr in his panel on climate change.

The documentary, Your Environmental Road Trip (YERT, showed at Bioneers, highlighted Larry Gibson, a leader in the movement to end mountaintop removal.

The Bioneers conference is an event meant to inspire and motivate people to become agents of change for the planet. We were glad to demonstrate that the campaign to end mountaintop removal is one of the most important movements that all in attendance should join.

For those of you ready to take your campaign to end mountaintop removal coal mining to a more full-time level, three regional organizations working on the issue are hiring in Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee.

Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards, a group based in the southwestern corner of Virginia, is currently seeking a Field Organizer to promote the SAMS agenda of ending mountaintop removal coal mining, economic transition and community empowerment. The position does require some travel, and applicants should possess good people skills and enjoy working with others. Visit the SAMS website for a complete list of requirements and information on how to submit your resume.

The Mountain Association for Community Economic Development (MACED) based in Berea and Paintsville, Kentucky, is looking to fill several positions, including Research and Policy Associate, several positions for the Enterprise Development team, a Human Resources and Compliance Coordinator and an Office Manager. For more information on these positions, visit the MACED website.

Statewide Organizing for Community eMpowerment (SOCM) is currently hiring two community organizer positions, one in the Upper Cumberland area and the other in Middle Tennessee. Both positions offer full benefits and are very people-oriented. To read more and apply, visit SOCM’s website.

By Parker Stevens
Parker served as Development Associate for Appalachian Voices from January 2010 to December 2011, coordinating our membership and directing two Riverkeeper festivals for the organization. She left to head up the Appalachian Women’s Fund based in Boone, N.C.

Photo by Nobu Tanaka

Thanks to everyone who came out and helped make the third annual Music on the Mountaintop a success! The festival brought in thousands of music lovers from Boone and beyond to enjoy two days of great bands, beautiful weather, and a good cause.

Appalachian Voices was part of the “Green Village” along with vendors selling handmade crafts and local organizations like Mountainkeepers and the ASU Energy Center. We talked to tons of folks – some had never heard of issues like mountaintop removal, and others had seen it for themselves. We got to meet some of the musicians, like the guys in Big Daddy Love who educate people about mountaintop removal through their music. By the end of the day, most festival-goers were sporting an “I Love Mountains” temporary tattoo!

The lineup was fantastic! Keller Williams was a huge hit along with Sam Bush and Railroad Earth. There was no shortage of good music. You can see some of the performances online.

After a lot of hard work and even more festival fun, the numbers are finally in. Appalachian Voices received $5,500 from Music on the Mountaintop! Thanks to Jimmy Hunt, the MOTM team, and everyone who helped make this year’s festival a success. We hope to see you all back on the mountaintop in 2011!

The great folks at Coal Country have done this beautiful tribute for our friend Judy Bonds. Besides being an incredible family member and friend, Judy is a winner of the prestigious Goldman prize for environmental organizing, and is someone I list as my own inspiration to join the fight to end mountaintop removal.

Judy is currently in the hospital fighting stage III cancer. Please keep Judy and her family in your thoughts and prayers. And, in her words, “fight harder!”

A little over a week ago, our nihilistic friends at the National Mining Association stated:

There is no scientific or statutory basis for the numerical standards [regarding mountaintop removal] that EPA is now foisting on states.

Fortunately for us AND for them, the scientific basis is now here (woohoo!), and we look forward to a correction of their position. Recently, the EPA’s Science Advisory Board confirmed what everyone not working at NMA headquarters or running for office has long known: MOUNTAINTOP REMOVAL IS BAD. The Science Advisory Board also confirmed that the use of a conductivity standard is an appropriate way to measure the aquatic impacts of mountaintop removal.

There! The science is in! We can now mine coal without destroying our mountains and watersheds! Those in charge are finally…wait huh?!?!?!

Are you telling me that those wishing to protect Don Blankenship’s performance bonus have chosen to shoot the climate bill on TV (like, with guns) and then are sueing the EPA?! OH NO!!

While it may be a good Blankenship-approved election year stunt for the politicians, the people of Appalachia continue to suffer. EPA responded to the lawsuit thusly:

Despite many efforts by EPA, state officials have not engaged in a meaningful discussion of sustainable mining practices that will create jobs while protecting the waters that Appalachian communities depend on for drinking, swimming and fishing. Earlier this year, at the request of the State, EPA issued clear guidance that ensures permits are reviewed using the best science available to protect residents from the significant and irreversible damage this practice can have on communities and their water sources. That science was just recently reaffirmed in a draft report by an independent panel of scientists.

EPA continues to be willing work with industry to reach common sense agreements allowing them to mine coal while avoiding permanent environmental impacts and protecting water quality. The EPA’s number one priority is to protect the health of all Americans and the guidance allows the people of West Virginia and other states to have both a healthy environment and a healthy economy.