In Appalachian coal country, the underground mines have been shut for decades. But the legacy of coal mining remains in its waterways — and it’s toxic. Streams and ponds gleam from the orange acidic water that fills them, the result of a poisonous discharge of sulfuric acid and iron known as acid mine drainage.

Allan Comp was initially skeptical that much could be done to revitalize the ravaged coal country towns, yet during the past six years the 2007 Purpose Prize Fellow founded an Appalachian Coal Country Watershed Team that has resulted in massive environmental cleanup efforts in eight states by volunteers who have contributed more than 100,000 hours. In the process, they have restored the soul of local communities, too.