The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

What's better than dedicating one Kentucky landscape as a wildlife management area?  How about two!  That's just what happened during the last few days of May.  Conservancy staff joined partners and supporters to celebrate the dedication of two historic Kentucky landscapes as they were officially designated by Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources as permanently protected wildlife management areas. 

Sturgis - Phase I

On May 30, 2012, The Nature Conservancy of Kentucky joined representatives from Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Government officials from the surrounding community, TNC supporters and conservation partners to celebrate the successful acquisition of Phase I of the Big Rivers Corridor Project.  Known as Sturgis, the property encompasses 2,571 acres at the confluence of the Ohio and Tradewater Rivers in Union County, KY.  In addition to sustainable forest management, the property will be managed by the KY Dept. of Fish & Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) to provide watershed and water quality protection, endangered, threatened, and rare species recovery and protection, significant public recreational access on nationally recognized hunting land, positive impact to state and local economies, preservation of existing cultural and geological treasures, and permanent protection from likely agricultural conversion and/or development. Visit here to learn more about the Big Rivers Corridor Project.

Griffith Woods

On May 31, 2012, The Nature Conservancy of Kentucky once again joined KDFWR, the Friends of Griffith Woods, representatives from the University of Kentucky, government and city officials and project supporters to celebrate the dedication of Griffith Woods as a permanently protected wildlife management area.  Griffith Woods represents the best known remnant of bluegrass savanna -woodland still in existence in the Commonwealth.  The savanna is characterized by scattered, large trees and undergrowth with course grasses such as wild rye and running buffalo clover.  Dominant species include blue ash, chinquapin oak, bur oak, hickories and black walnut.  Many of these trees are more than 300 years old.  The property will be managed by the KY Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Resources, who are currently developing conservation plans for the property. 

Many Hands Make a Big Impact

Part of our success stems from the partnerships we have with federal, state and local entities interested in conserving nature for future generations.  A special thanks goes out to the following partners who helped to make these projects a reality.

Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources

University of Kentucky

Crounse Corporation

Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund Board

Kentucky Division of Forestry

Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission

National Wild Turkey Federation

Quality Deer Management Association

The Conservation Fund

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Ducks Unlimited

And of course, all of our TNC supporters who contributed to the success of these projects.