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Broad-headed skink © Gumbert

Open to the Public

Yes

Things To Do

Several state endangered or threatened species occur at Hazeldell Meadow, including Sundew, Beard-grass, St. Peter's Wort and St. John's Wort. The meadow area has the greatest concentration of rare plant species in this section of the county. View All

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How to Prepare for Your Visit View All

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After acquiring Hazeldell Meadow in 1997, the Conservancy went to work restoring one of Kentucky’s few examples of a highland rim wet barren, which has been described as a “wet prairie” – habitat falling somewhere between and grassland and wetland. Bringing back the meadow’s open conditions with prescribed burns nurtured rare plants including Bushy bluestem and the carnivorous Sundew which is uncommon to Kentucky. The Conservancy also partnered with the Natural Resources Conservation Service to use the Wetland Reserve Program to plug a 1,400’ drainage ditch to restore hydrology, allowing wetland plants to grow and become well established.

For many years, visitors had limited access to Hazeldell Meadow due to the fragile nature of the landscape during active restoration. However, since being purchased by Pulaski County in 2009, the 39-acre property has public trails for visitors to enjoy.

Size: 39 acres

Location: Northeast corner of Pulaski County

What’s At Stake: Kentucky’s only protected highland rim wet barrens natural community.

Threats: Wetlands such as Hazeldell Meadow are extremely rare. This habitat type has largely been converted from natural vegetation to agricultural fields used for pasture or row crop production.

Milestones: Purchased the tract in 1997 with the help of gifts from Dr. Julian Campbell, Randy Seymour and the East Kentucky Power Cooperative. Sold to Pulaski County in 2009 with a conservation easement.
Action: The Conservancy provides technical assistance to Pulaski County on the management of the area and assists with prescribed burning, including the training of county personnel, to maintain this rare, open community type.

Partners: Natural Resources and Conservation Service, Pulaski County Conservation District, East Kentucky Power Cooperative, Dr. Julian Campbell, Randy Seymour, Pulaski County, Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund

Things To Do

The easy trail takes you around the meadow where you may see any number of uncommon plants as well as the following animal species:

• Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus)
• Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens)
• Kentucky Warbler (Oporornis formosus)
• Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea)
• Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius)
• Nothern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix)
• Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platyrhinos)
• Black Racer (Coluber constrictor)
• Broad-headed Skink (Eumeces laticeps)
• Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum)
• Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum)
• Upland Chorus Frog (Pseudacris triseriata)
• Southern Leopard Frog (Rana utricularia)
• Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)
• White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)
• Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis)

Plan Your Visit

For more information on visiting this and other Nature Conservancy sites in Kentucky, see our Preserve Visitation Guidelines page.

Directions

Hazeldell Meadow is on Ocala Road in Pulaski County across from the Hazeldell Church.

Discussion

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