Building solidarity for a healthy Appalachia

Aurora Lights supports locally-based projects that strengthen the connections within and between human communities and their natural environment by promoting environmental and social action. Ultimately, we hope to restore a sense of the sacred balance between the Earth and the human community that will promote sustainable and thoughtful land stewardship. Read more...

Aurora Lights News

Latest updates on Aurora Lights

Another CD grant supports Mountain Keepers Music Festival

On Saturday, July 3rd and Sunday, July 4th, the annual Mountain Keepers Music Festival will be held at Kayford Mountain's Stanley Heirs Park. This concert is the premier music festival that celebrates environmental justice in southern West Virginia. The two day event will feature local and regional musicians playing a variety of bluegrass, gospel, country, rock, jam and old time music, as well as internationally known speakers such as leading NASA Climatologist James Hansen.

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Journey Up Coal River wins e-Appalachia Website of the Year Award

Journey Up Coal River (www.JourneyUpCoalRiver.org), an educational, interactive multimedia website about West Virginia's Coal River Valley, is this year's recipient of the Appalachian Studies Association's e-Appalachia Website of the Year

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Rambles: Still Moving Mountains is extraordinary effort, excellent music

Rambles.net's Jerome Clark wrote yet another praise-filled review of Aurora Lights' Still Moving Mountains CD last month.  Dave Lavender with the Beckley Herald-Dispatch also

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'Still Moving Mountains' on CNN

Still Moving Mountains received more praise today - this time from Current.com contributor Peter Grumbine during an interview with CNN.

After panning the latest Britney Spears album, Grumbine introduced CNN to Aurora Light's new release (see video at 3:08).

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CMT praises Still Moving Mountains

CMT's Craig Shelburne recently recognized three new albums for bluegrass fans - and at the top of his list is Aurora Light's Still Moving Mountains: The Journey Home.

Shelburne writes:

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Appalachian Feed

News, updates and opinion from around Appalachia

Donate to the Montcoal Mining Disaster Fund
April 8, 2010

The West Virginia Council of Churches has set up a fund to support people impacted by the Upper Big Branch Mine explosion. "Donate to the Montcoal Mining Disaster Fund" to make a donation.

Thank you.

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New resource to get involved with local NGOs

Check out local, statewide, and regional groups working across Appalachia on issues of environmental and social justice, or learn more about educational resources that can help tie your school requirements in with an on the ground project or internship!  Includes logos, summaries, and links to more than 20 different organizations. 

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Blasting begins on Coal River Mountain

Coal River Mountain, the last intact mountain in the watershed and the focus of so much of our participatory mapping project, is being blasted NOW.  Click here for a summary, here for more information about the massive slurry impoundment located next to the blasting, and here to get involved immediately!

 

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The Bluegrass Special: Coal River Journal

By Jen Osha

When I first came to the Coal River Valley of West Virginia, I was wearing my uncle’s favorite boots. Rugged, yet well cared for, they served me well stomping about on the rocky moonscape of the strip mines.  He was always a practical man.

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