The Nature Conservancy Protects 1,732 Acres in Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky

Lexington, Ky. — Today, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) announced it has protected 1,732 acres in the Appalachian Mountains of eastern Kentucky.

The acquisition follows quickly on the heels of TNC’s purchase and subsequent transfer of a neighboring 1,075-acre property, Mountain River Farms, to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR). Situated right in between Mountain River Farms and the Cumberland Forest property, the new acquisition, known as the Thacker property, represents a critical link in the growing corridor of protected land within the iconic Cumberland-Pine Mountain area.

“When you talk about connectivity and expanding protected lands, it doesn’t get any better than this,” said Chris Garland, Central Appalachians program director for TNC. “This project provided an excellent opportunity to bridge a key natural corridor like this. When we had a chance to protect this land, we knew we had to act.”

The Appalachians range spans 2,000 miles from Alabama to Canada and is home to diverse wildlife and millions of people. These acquisitions are an important part of a coordinated effort among TNC and partners to create a more connected Appalachians landscape so all those who depend on its forests and waterways can thrive. The Central Appalachians, featuring the mountains of eastern Kentucky, are particularly important to this mission. 

Now that Mountain River Farms and the Cumberland Forest properties are connected, TNC and partners can expand important conservation work such as improving habitat for elk and other wildlife, conducting controlled burns to improve forest health, removing invasive species, reforesting former mined lands and increasing public access.

KDFWR is a critical partner in this work in Kentucky. The agency successfully manages large natural areas across the state in service to Kentuckians. In 2023, KDFWR acquired a 55,000-acre permanent conservation and public access easement on the Kentucky portion of the Cumberland Forest. Given the agency’s demonstrated commitment to protecting land and increasing public access, TNC is exploring the transition of the new 1,732-acre acquisition to KDFWR as well.

“The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources is excited to once again be in discussions with TNC regarding a key land acquisition in eastern Kentucky,” said Ben Robinson, Wildlife Division Director for KDFWR. “The connectivity that this parcel provides to other key properties will allow us to better manage the resources and provide greater access for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts.”

Now protected, the Thacker property presents an opportunity to manage toward early successional forests and young forests, which create ideal habitat for species such as elk and ruffed grouse. 

“RGS & AWS is working to establish a mosaic of early successional, young, mature and late-successional forests across the Cumberland Plateau, which will greatly benefit a wide variety of forest wildlife species such as ruffed grouse,” said Ben Rhodes, Southern Appalachians Forest Conservation Coordinator for Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society. “The Thacker property is a fantastic addition to the region’s network of conservation lands, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration with TNC, state agencies, and other partners to improve forest habitat diversity across this critical landscape.”