Creating new forests, that's what 200 people from 20 different states are discussing at the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative Conference in eastern Kentucky this week.

The group, made up of state and local government officials, environmentalists and coal representatives are touring reclaimed surface mine sites.

No matter which state or industry they are from, the representatives at the conference agree they want to promote re-forestation on those surface mine sites.

They visited Bent Mountain Mine, where the University of Kentucky research shows it is possible to grow trees on the sites.

The American chestnut tree died and disappeared in Appalachian states a century ago, but last year University of Kentucky researchers planted it here on Bent Mountain Mine, and now hundreds of trees are growing.

“Showing that trees will grow on these surface lands,” Chris Barton said.

200 people from 20 different states and agencies toured this and other Eastern Kentucky reclaimed mine sites and are discussing reforestation when the mining is finished.

“We believe reforestation is the land use of choice on mine sites in eastern Kentucky. You can achieve good healthy forests on mine lands,” Paul Rothman said.

Kentucky started planting trees on former surface mines and conducting research a decade ago.

Officials say at first, trees did not grow well on the sites, but through their research, they say they found ways for trees to survive.

“I'm very impressed with the work that's being done by the state of Kentucky,” John Huston said.

Now those visiting are learning what works here so they can plant trees in their states.

“It's good to have a diverse type of land cover when we're done mining these type of particular areas, and so now we're able to move forward in the area of forestry and be able to ensure we're going to be able to reclaim trees and commercial grade trees back to the areas,” Huston said.

“We want to restore the forests of Appalachia so we need all the states within Appalachia to all come together in a unified front to make this happen,” Huston said.

They hope in a few years, there will be American Chestnut forests again.

UK researchers say they have planted and are monitoring chestnut test sites in six states now.

As for the conference, it wrapped up this evening.