In addition to our conservation efforts, CONSOL Energy is constantly looking for new ways to incorporate environmental stewardship into our day-to-day operations. For example, we developed techniques to extract coalbed-methane from coal seams prior to mining. This process limits the amount of gases released into the air, and it also makes our mining operations safer and more productive. We’re also able to capture and sell that gas for energy use.
CONSOL also participates in several reforestation projects with organizations such as Ducks Unlimited and the National Wild Turkey Federation. In fact, in 2007, the company was awarded the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative’s Excellence in Forestry Award for its work at Fola Surface Mine 6. CONSOL planted more than four million trees on the property through various reclamation efforts and other events. The mine also received the West Virginia Foresters Association Excellence in Forestry Award in 2008.
CONSOL Energy has joined forces with the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, Inc. (PFSC) and the North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association (NAWEOA), to raise awareness of fish and wildlife resources.
Through a $10,000 donation to the PFSC, educational materials have been provided to young sportsmen/women across Pennsylvania to ensure they become ethical and involved users of wildlife habitats.
CONSOL Energy also provided funding to the Conservation Officers of Pennsylvania (COPA), to support the annual conference of the North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association. COPA will host the conference in 2010.
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In 2008, CONSOL Energy was honored by the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) with its Energy for Wildlife Corporate Achievement Award. The award recognizes corporations that demonstrate outstanding efforts to improve wildlife habitats and promote conservation and hunting.
As a member of the NWTF’s “Energy for Wildlife” program, CONSOL helps develop forestry and land
management techniques on its properties. As a result, they can become beneficial habitats for wildlife species like wild turkeys and grouse.
Over the past 10 years, CONSOL has allocated 50,000 acres of wildlife habitat to various states for public use. And we’ve donated over $50,000 for the purchase of conservation equipment.
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In 2006 CONSOL Energy placed over 4,200 acres in Monroe County, Ohio into a cooperative management agreement with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife. The land had previously been deep-mined for coal. Approximately 10 percent of the area was strip-mined and is now in the process of being reclaimed.
The rugged, heavily-forested area is home to white-tailed deer, ruffed grouse, wild turkey, grey squirrels, cottontail rabbits and many woodland songbirds. Now called the CONSOL Energy Powhatan Point Wildlife Management Area, the land is available for public hunting, trapping, fishing and wildlife viewing.
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CONSOL Energy donated more than 231 acres of company-owned land to help buffer the Flight 93 National Memorial site from future development.
The land is located approximately one mile northeast of the Flight 93 National Memorial boundary. It will be transferred to the Pennsylvania Game Commission for incorporation into the recently established State Game Land 93.
“The passengers, that time and this place will forever represent the moment when Americans said ‘no’ to
terrorism,” said J. Brett Harvey, CONSOL Energy’s president and chief executive officer. “Our contribution is small compared to that which was given by those on Flight 93, but we are honored to be able to help in the effort to preserve their memory and to commemorate their deed.”
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Opened in 2004, the Pedlar Wildlife Management Area consists of 766 acres of CONSOL Energy-donated land in Monongalia County, West Virginia. The area includes two family fishing lakes stocked with bluegills, channel catfish and largemouth bass as well as the county’s first public shooting range.
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In 2002 CONSOL Energy donated Fish Creek Island, 48 acres for Great Blue Herons to the Nature Conservancy of West Virginia. This land was transferred to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service as part of the Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge is part of a series of natural corridor sites that represent "big river" ecosystems.
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