Most of the wealth owned by local people is in the form of their family land and homes- a wealth that is often passed down through the generations. People from across the region are taking action to protect their homeplaces from the damage caused by blasting and subsidence.

Pauline Stacey and Daisy Luster live in Ary, Kentucky. Active members of Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, they have been part of the struggle to protect their community from the effects of a large mountaintop removal site owned by Addington Enterprises.

At the other end of eastern Kentucky residents are also fighting to protect their communities. Click to hear Gary Short, of Holmes Mill, Harlan, KY.

Hazel King is a mountain activist who has been fighting strip mines since the '70's.

Gary Short, resident of Holmes Mill, fought the mountaintop removal at Black Mountain. Here he talks about losing the beauty of the mountains.

Jessica Creech talks about a sludge pond that is going to be built close to her house.