Ballard WMA Field Trip

By Jeff Nelson, KNPS President

On Saturday, June 15, a group of KNPS members and friends enjoyed a field trip to the Ballard WMA in Ballard county in far western Kentucky. Ballard Wildlife Management Area is 8,000 acres located in the Ohio River bottomlands ecoregion in far western Kentucky. The WMA is mostly wetland with 39% of the acreage in wetland, 28% forest, 27% open land, and 6% open water. Much of the wetland is comprised of rare, cypress-tupelo swamps and sloughs which many Kentuckians have not had the opportunity to experience. The Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves lists cypress-tupelo swamp as a state endangered ecosystem.

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Wildflower Weekend 2024 in Review

On Friday, April 12th and Saturday, April 13, nearly 200 members and friends enjoyed KNPS’s 35th Wildflower Weekend, at Natural Bridge SRP! With more hikes, workshops, and kid’s activities than we have ever had and with many of the best botanists in Kentucky in attendance, Wildflower Weekend 2024 was an unqualified success.

Wildflower Walks

Wildflower walks and hikes are the defining activities of every Wildflower Week, but this year we also included hikes about fire ecology, geology, birds, herps, butterflies, pollinators, reptiles and more! Beginning at noon on Friday and running through the end of the day on Saturday, we enjoyed a record number 25 flora and fauna walks, led by over 30 of the best botanists, zoologists and naturalists in the country. Exploring the amazing diversity of the plant communities in Natural Bridge SRP and the Red River Gorge Geological Area, participants learned about and enjoyed dozens of native plant species, the fauna associated with them, and the amazing geology and hydrology that surrounds them.

In addition to our usual “all things botanical” hikes, we had hikes concentrating on birds, reptiles and amphibians, geology, fire ecology, and pollinators and butterflies. There were also a couple of workshops, “Non-Native Invasive Species Management” and an art workshop, “Reflecting on Nature through Artmaking.” These new additions to Wildflower Weekend were enjoyed by all who participated and brought in several new faces to our annual gathering.

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2024 Pollinator Garden Grants

By Susan Harkins

This year, we were thrilled to receive numerous applications for our pollinator grant program. Selecting the winners was no easy task, as each proposal showcased incredible dedication and innovation. However, after careful consideration, we’ve chosen five projects that not only promise to enhance public education but also boast strong collaborative partnerships. Without further ado, let’s meet the winners!

Forestry Outreach Center

Located in Berea, the Forestry Outreach Center plans to utilize their grant to create more accessible community spaces celebrating native plants and wildlife. Equipped with informative signage, the area will transform into a captivating self-guided tour for the community. Students will lend their hands for the project while the dedicated staff ensures its upkeep. Berea’s educational staff will fulfill the crucial role of educational partners, enriching the learning experience for all involved.

Legacy Grove Park

Legacy Grove Park, managed by the nonprofit Legacy Greenscapes, stands as a testament to visionary park design. Featuring a sprawling two-acre play area inspired by Kentucky’s iconic landmarks, nature trails teeming with indigenous flora and fauna, and extensive ADA-accessible pathways, the park is a haven for both nature enthusiasts and families. With this grant, the park aims to establish garden beds brimming with native species, further enriching its ecological tapestry. Supported by a passionate volunteer program and led by garden curator Anna Campomanes, Legacy Grove Park is poised to continue its mission of environmental stewardship and community engagement.

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KNPS’ New Events Calendar

We are happy to announce that we have a new events calendar for the Society and, hopefully, all conservation related events in our Commonwealth and our region. You can view the calendar here. We are currently putting in all scheduled events for KNPS, but we want this calendar to be so much more for the native plant community. So we are hoping that individuals, clubs, and all conservation oriented organizations in our region will post their events to the calendar. To facilitate this we have created the form below to let anyone submit an event. Alternatively you can just send the info about your event to KYPlants@knps.org. Thank you.

Events Calendar Submission Form

Continue reading KNPS’ New Events Calendar →

Field Trip to the Ballard WMA – June 15, 2024

Date of trip: 06/15/2024
Time: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM (approx.) Central Time
Location: Ballard County
Difficulty of hike: Easy – We will caravan/carpool on the gravel roads in the wildlife management area, stopping to view a variety of native plants and habitats. At a couple of the stops, we will walk distances of under a 1/2 mile.

Swamp Candles (Lysimachia terrestris)

Join KNPS President, Jeff Nelson and KNPS member and Ballard WMA employee, Gerald Burnett, as as we explore the native plant ecosystems in the wetlands and river bottoms of the Ballard WMA in Ballard Co.

Ballard Wildlife Management Area is 8,000 acres located in the Ohio River bottomlands ecoregion in far western Kentucky. The WMA is mostly wetland with 39% of the acreage in wetland, 28% forest, 27% open land, and 6% open water. Much of the wetland is comprised of rare, cypress-tupelo swamps and sloughs which many Kentuckians have not had the opportunity to experience. The Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves lists cypress-tupelo swamp as a state endangered ecosystem.

We will caravan (carpooling as much as possible) around the WMA, stopping to examine the botany of Ballard’s diverse ecosystems. We should see several uncommon, wetland plant species. In particular we hope to see the rare swamp candles (Lysimachia terrestris), a more northerly species that in Kentucky is only found in two far western counties. Although we will not be hiking any distance, we will be taking walks of less than 1/2 mile at a couple of stops, all on the road or trails. We will walk into areas off the road to get a better view many of the plants. There is likely to be some muddy spots where we will be walking, so be prepared.

Registration is Required

Please fill out the form below to register for this field trip. This trip will be limited to 20 people.

Field Trip at Pine Creek Barrens — June 8, 2024

Date of trip: June 8, 2024
Start time: 10AM EDT
Location: Pine Creek Barrens Nature Preserve, Bullitt County, KY
Difficulty of hike: Moderate, approximately 2 miles and 2 hours.

Join KNPS member, Alan Abbott, at Pine Creek Barren for a hike. Pale purple coneflower (Echinacea pallida) will likely be near full bloom in this beautiful grassland. We’ll probably see other prairie plants like orange milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) and Senega snakeroot (Polygala senega).

Echinacea pallida
Asclepias tuberosa

We’ll start at 10 a.m. and hike about two miles. Prepare for some walking off trail by wearing appropriate footwear. You’ll want to practice tick prevention and bring water to prepare for heat and humidity.   

This grassland near Shepherdsville is about 20-30 minutes from Louisville.  Meet in the parking lot by 10 a.m. We’ll be done around noon.

Registration is Required

Please fill out the form below to register for this field trip. This trip will be limited to 15 participants.

Field Trip to Hi Lewis SNP – June 9, 2024

Date of trip: Sunday, June 9th, 2024
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM Eastern Time
Location: Hi Lewis Pine Barrens State Nature Preserve, Harlan County (Site closed to the public, directions will be sent to registered participants)
Difficulty of hike: Strenuous

Join KNPS Board members, Heidi Braunreiter (Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves Prescribed Fire Program Coordinator) and Dr. Jennifer Koslow (Eastern Kentucky University Department of Biological Sciences) as we explore Hi Lewis Pine Barrens State Nature Preserve, which is normally closed to the public. During this approximately three hour hike, we will learn about prescribed fire, and other land management practices to sustain and enhance a globally rare natural community, the pitch pine barrens. Hi Lewis Pine Barrens SNP is the best example of this community type on Pine Mountain, and hosts numerous rare and endangered species. The preserve is also home to American chestnuts, which flower in response to the canopy opening created by fires. Following a 2020 prescribed fire and clearing, the trees responded by growing an average of 24 stems per tree, several of which flowered at a height of six to eight feet (it is difficult to predict the exact timing of flowering). The hike will be capped off at 20 participants.

Special Considerations: Hiking conditions are strenuous on Pine Mountain due to steep terrain, please wear shoes with good ankle support. Please bring lots of water, and lunch/snacks. Venomous snakes, ticks, and chiggers occur in the area so please plan accordingly- no open toed shoes, and long pants are recommended. All participants will need to sign the liability waiver below while registering for the hike. We will be hiking along the perimeter of a prescribed burn and management unit that has been recently cleared, although tripping hazards are still present and participants will need to watch their footing. 

Lodging options in the area for participants wanting to stay nearby:

  • Benham Schoolhouse Inn, Benham, KY (Approx. 15 min to site)
  • Quality Inn, Harlan, KY (Approx. 25 min to site)
  • Pine Mountain State Resort Park (Approx. 1 hr. 10 min to site)

Registration is Required

Please fill out the form below to register for this field trip. This trip will be limited to 20 people.