Kentucky River Palisades

Conserving one of Kentucky's most unique landscapes for people and wildlife.

The Kentucky River Palisades project encompasses about 100 river miles, stretching from Clays Ferry in Madison County to Frankfort in Franklin County. It’s a unique region boasting deep gorges, wet weather springs, caves, limestone outcrops and variations in slope exposure.

The proximity of the Kentucky River Palisades to the city of Lexington and other metropolitan areas presents challenges and opportunities related to protecting a unique landscape which provides both critical wildlife habitat as well as a place for people to live, work and recreate. Here’s how we’re tackling these issues.

Big Picture
Kentucky River Palisades CliffsA kayaker enjoys the Kentucky River Palisades. © T. Franey
Landscape Snapshot

See why the Kentucky River Palisades represents a priority for the Conservancy.

Kentucky RiverThe Kentucky River winds through the state's Palisades region. © TNC Staff
Master Plan

Engaging stakeholders in big picture thinking that includes the needs of people, wildlife and natural landscapes.

Ken Brooks in KentuckyPreserve monitor Ken Brooks surveys the Sally Brown Nature Preserve in Kentucky. © Sara M. Kaplaniak
Natural History

Preserve monitor and conservation buyer Ken Brooks shares some history and insights about the natural features making this area so special.

Nature Preserves
Jessamine CreekJessamine Creek © Harold E. Malde
Jessamine Creek Gorge Preserve

Partnering with County Government pays off.

Kentucky Jim Beam Nature Preserve SignThe sign marking The Nature Conservancy of Kentucky's Jim Beam Nature Preserve. © TNC Staff
Jim Beam Nature Preserve

This is a place that gives back as much as it receives.

Phacelia at Sally Brown PreservePhacelia shows off its colors at the Sally Brown Nature Preserve. © Ken Brooks
Sally Brown, Crutcher & Earl Wallace Nature Preserves

See what generosity and a long-term vision can achieve.

Thomas Dorman State Nature PreserveThe vantage point from the Thomas Dorman State Nature Preserve. © Mason Brock
Thomas Dorman State Nature Preserve

The Nature Conservancy of Kentucky assisted with acquiring some of the acreage at one of the largest protected natural areas in the region.

Generous Donors
Sally Brown and Jim Aldrich hikingSally Brown and Jim Aldrich hiking at Bad Branch Preserve Photo © TNC staff
Sally Brown

Leaving a legacy to her family and to future generations.

Dr. & Mrs. Richard CrutcherDr. & Mrs. Richard Crutcher © Crutcher family photo
Dr. & Mrs. Richard Crutcher

Marking a 50th Wedding Anniversary with a nature preserve.

Valuable Volunteers
Ken and Vicki BrooksKen and Vicki Brooks © The Nature Conservancy
Ken & Vicki Brooks

Buying and protecting a conservation property for the long-term.

Kentucky Volunteer Lynn SchwantesKentucky Volunteers Lynn Schwantes on a Volunteer Vacation with the American Hiking Society. © Ken Brooks
Lynn Schwantes

Volunteering to monitor a special part of the Palisades landscape.

Read More

Photo Special Features TabLion in Maasai Mara, Kenya, Africa. © Kenneth K. Coe

Close Encounters with Nature

Whether scary or exciting, nature has a way of sneaking up on you. See stories

Arden OConnor 215x143Arden O’Connor. © Lajla LeBlanc

Nature Matters

Hear some of nature's success stories and see how nature matters to us all. Watch videos

Donate to The Nature Conservancy

Owl Owl at High Pond © Bob Klein/TNC
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Explore Related Content

Places We Protect
Check out the other places we're conserving around Kentucky. See them here
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