So what have we been up to?

From our Hive in Downeast Maine we first travelled to the Appalachian Studies Association (ASA) Conference in Huntington, WV. A powerful starting point and an influential pool of research and dialogue about Mountain Top Removal Coal Mining and the organizations and groups already engaged with the issues. We will surely be returning to the conference next year to share our gathered experiences from cross-pollination in the region.

From Huntington we have since travelled to:

• Appalachia, VA where we stayed and worked with folks from Mountain Justice Summer and the Office of the Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards.

• Knoxville, TN where we worked with United Mountain Defense and spoke with staff at the Knoxville Environmental Field Office, the Office of Surface Mining and the National Parks Conservation Association.

• In Jellico, TN we spent time with the Clearfork Community Institute and local community members to listen and learn about their stories, struggles and inspiring methods of resistance

• In Harlan County, KY we stayed at the Pine Mountain Settlement School and spent time in Whitesburg with Appalshop and members from Kentuckians for the Commonwealth. We also spent a few days at the local Community College speaking with Professors and students.

• We are now in Rock Creek, WV working with members of Coal River Mountain Watch and learning a whole ton more than we could ever have anticipated.

The evening has come upon us, and we Bees slow down in the cooler temperatures of Night.

More to come in the weeks ahead.

In solidarity - the bees.

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