Central Kentucky Grasslands
Morning fog
© Tom Edwards |
Why the Conservancy Selected This Site
The Central Kentucky Grasslands is a 100,000-acre ecosystem located primarily in Madison, Garrard and Lincoln Counties.
Threats
Threats to the conservation targets are incompatible grazing practices, fire suppression and primary home development.
Plants
Conservation target plants are:
Animals
No specific animals are listed as conservation targets as many species of concern are dependent upon the plant systems listed above.
Our Conservation Strategy
Initiated in September 2001, this project is part of a growing partnership between The Nature Conservancy and the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR). The Conservancy provided funding to support a KDFWR biologist's work to identify conservation targets and threats, and coordinate activities to address them at a system-wide scale. Other key collaborators include faculty from Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, and the 15,000-acre Bluegrass Army Depot.
What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing
There are several points of focus for the project, including the native grasslands, unique outer Bluegrass woodlands and flatwoods, canebreaks, the federally endangered running buffalo clover, and riparian areas along the 29-mile Muddy Creek. The project is currently involved (through EKU graduate student) in inventory and monitoring of running buffalo clover and the native grasslands in portions of Madison County. Additionally, private landowners along Muddy Creek are being contacted to participate in continuous CRP to protect the riparian areas and improve water quality. Currently about 10 miles of the 29-mile stream are under some conservation program. Prescribed burning is being conducted on the Bluegrass Army Depot for rehabilitating the native grasslands remnants.
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