Senator Musto above, receiving award from Mike Dziak, president of Earth Conservancy

Earth Conservancy recently honored Sen. Raphael “Ray” Musto for his continued support of EC’s mission to reclaim and revitalize abandoned coal lands, and for his commitment to the environment and increasing recreational opportunities and greenspace locally.

The organization presented Sen. Musto with a commemorative plaque to show its appreciation for his continued support and assistance in several local reclamation and recreational projects.

  “We are very grateful to Sen. Musto for all the help he has given EC in our efforts to reclaim mine-scarred lands, and we are especially appreciative of his recent efforts to support our recreational initiatives,” Mike Dziak, EC President said.

  Sen. Musto was especially supportive of EC’s recently constructed Mocanaqua Loop Trail in Conyngham Township, which was officially opened to the public on June 7, National Trails Day.

  The Mocanaqua Loop is the first trail built by EC and is the first trail of its kind in the Wyoming Valley. It consists of four interconnecting looping trails that take users to low-lying areas, ridgetop overlooks, former coal mined areas, and natural wooded areas.  The four loops combined encompass about 9 miles of natural trail, and the scenic lookouts along the ridgetop offer incredible views of the Susquehanna River and the valley below.