In 2025, LiKEN deepened our commitment to building livelihoods of care across Appalachia, along the coast of Louisiana, throughout the diverse cultural and geographic regions across the United States, and around the globe. Guided by community needs, we expanded our team, strengthened cross–sector partnerships, advanced intercultural climate and water research, and continued to build resources that improve local livelihoods. LiKENeers gathered at Experience Learning in Spruce

What is an Appalachian Christmas? In years past, I remember how joyful Christmas was in my youth. Not so much for the monetary value of presents, but for the feeling that came with the deep, cold snows that would cover the mountains in a soft, white, peaceful, calming blanket.

Summer is always a busy time for LiKEN, and this year has been no different. From creek clean ups and youth paddle camps to Tribal-led...

It is a time of early morning dew glistening in the sunlight as it brings to life the cool feeling of anticipation of the new warmer seasons arriving. It is a time of adventure and excitement with walks in the deep woods of Kentucky. You can almost feel the anticipation in the air. It is a time of bare feet walking along the cool paths of the earth beneath and the feeling of memories and days of times past. It is a forever-connection to how it feels to grow up in the mountain

To put a positive spin on the saying about a “road to hell,” however, I believe we need a “road through hell” here. Because hell does not have to be the endpoint—it is not too late for us to sit back, reflect, take stock of everything, and be proactive toward longer term systemic change—even if it feels like the house is burning down around you. 

LiKEN Program Updates, Spring 2025 At LiKEN, our work is rooted in relationships to place, to people, and to the knowledge that connects...

LiKENeer Brandon Jent’s Poetry and Appalachian Resilience Brandon Jent shares his work at the Hindman Settlement School's Appalachian...

Highlighting projects that amplify local voices, sharing stories connected to the place they come from.

The Central Appalachian Folk and Traditional Arts (CAFTA) Survey and Planning Project is a project of Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation in...

The Central Appalachian Folk and Traditional Arts (CAFTA) Survey and Planning Project is a project of Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation (MAAF)...

The West Virginia Mine Wars Museum is now located in the Matewan National bank building. Photo by Chris Burney article by Bethany Turley...

By Mary Hufford, Director of Stories of Place The Stories of Place, Martin County team, photographed during a field trip to Appalshop in...