State Nature Preserves Commission NATURALLY KENTUCKY

Number 18, April, May, June 1996

KSNPC Celebrates 20th Anniversary New Preserves by Tim Clarke Dedicated

“It is the public policy of the Commonwealth of Kentucky to secure At the March 15, 1996 for the people of present and future generations the benefits of an Commission meeting, KSNPC endur ing r esour ce of na tur al ar eas b y esta b lishing a system of na tur e voted to dedicate a 20-acre tract preserves, protecting these areas and gathering and disseminating information regarding them, establishing and maintaining a registry of Woodburn Glade in Warren of natural areas and otherwise encouraging and assisting in the County. Woodburn Glade is preservation of natural areas and features ” KRS section 146.410(2). home to numerous rare plants including Butler’s quillwort, The Kentucky Nature Preserves Commission (KNPC) was Carolina larkspur, Gattinger’s created in 1976 when Senate Bill 155, drafted by Senator Jon lobelia, Glade cress and Rickert, was approved and compiled as KRS 146.410, the Ken- Perideridia. The presence of tucky Nature Preserves Act. Governor Julian M. Carroll ap- several limestone glades and pointed the first five Commissioners on September 17, 1976, Kentucky’s only known popula- officially forming the Kentucky Nature Preserves Commission. tion of Gattinger’s lobelia make this an ideal area to add to the The Commission hired its first director, Mr. Donald F. Harker, on KSNPC system. Woodburn August 1, 1977. Mr. Harker served until February 1982. Glade was purchased last year Initially, the Commission was comprised of three permanent from The Nature Conservancy. employees: an executive secretary, a zoologist, and a botanist. The number of employees quickly grew to over twenty, as many Also dedicated was Floracliff temporary positions were added to begin the daunting task of State Nature Preserve in Fayette inventorying the state’s flora and fauna. Mr. Harker and the County. The 78-acre sanctuary Commission indicated four priorities of consideration for on the Kentucky River upstream Kentucky’s nature preserves: (1) conservation, (2) interpretative from Raven Run Nature Sanctu- education, (3) scientific research and (4) passive recreation. Mr. ary has been previously known as Harker set the direction for the Commission by adopting the the Mary E. Wharton Nature Natural Heritage Program methodology developed by The Sanctuary. This sanctuary was Nature Conservancy. The Kentucky Nature Preserves Commis- acquired in several tracts from the sion was the twelfth such program in the United States. Today, 1950s to the 1980s by the late there are Natural Heritage Programs throughout the United Mary Wharton, chair of the States, Canada and Latin America, placing the Commission Biological Sciences Department within a network of similar agencies across the North and South at Georgetown College. Dr. American continents. Wharton was an author of “The Wildflowers and Ferns Blackacre State Nature Preserve, a 170-acre gift of land in of Kentucky” and “Trees and Jefferson County from Judge and Mrs. Macauley Smith was Shrubs of Kentucky”. Many of dedicated on March 19, 1979, becoming the first state nature the photos for these books were preserve in Kentucky. Today, Blackacre maintains a successful taken at Floracliff. Property environmental education program. ownership is retained by the

Continued on page 2 Continued on page 6 Three additional preserves were County. tored 263 animals, and over 300 dedicated in 1979: Six Mile vascular plant species. Bad Island, an 81 acre Ohio River Richard R. Hannan became the Branch in Letcher County, island preserve in Jefferson second director of the Commis- Brigadoon in Barren County and County; Jesse Stuart State sion in February of 1982. Pilot Knob in Powell County Nature Preserve, 733 acres in Employed with the Commission were KNPC’s additions to the Greenup County; and John since 1978 as a staff botanist, state nature preserve system. James Audubon State Park Mr. Hannan assumed the duties Nature Preserve, 325 acres in of the director when Mr. Harker KNPC signed a limited Coopera- Henderson County. Audubon left to farm. By 1982, the tive Agreement on Plants with State Park Nature Preserve was Natural Heritage Program the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Ser- the first state-owned property to database was recognized as a vice on January 8, 1986. In be included in the preserve valued resource to other agen- November of 1986, the first full- system. cies and organizations within time position for managing Kentucky and around the preserves was filled by Joyce The 1980 General Assembly country. 1982 also saw the Bender. Cypress Creek State passed legislation creating a state dedication of Beargrass Creek Nature Preserve in Muhlenberg income tax refund “checkoff” State Nature Preserve in County was dedicated in 1986. program whose proceeds were Jefferson County. to be shared between the By January of 1987, 16 nature Nongame Program of the De- In October 1983, KNPC hosted preserves encompassing 5,708 partment of Fish and Wildlife the Tenth Annual Midwest acres had been dedicated in 12 Resources and KNPC. Also in Natural Areas Workshop, counties. A total of 28 landown- 1980, KNPC published Ferns drawing natural areas profes- ers with interests in 23 areas had and Fern Allies of Kentucky by sionals from all over the United entered the Natural Areas Regis- Ray Cranfill -- the first in States and Canada. Two more try Program. This registered KNPC’s series of scientific and preserves, natural areas land totaled 5,638 technical publications. State Park Nature Preserve in acres in 20 counties. Also, the Whitley and McCreary counties Commission’s first partnership The early 1980’s was an active and Pine Mountain State Park with a County government time for the Commission. KNPC Nature Preserve in Bell County resulted in the dedication of Jim had four full-time staff and were dedicated as well. Scudder State Nature Preserve in sixteen federally funded employ- Hardin County. Also dedicated ees by January of 1981. By then, In cooperation with The Nature was Boone County Cliffs State over 350 natural areas had been Conservancy, 1984 saw the Nature Preserve. identified by the Commission. beginning of the Natural Areas Registry Program and 31 areas A county level natural areas Three preserves were dedicated were registered that year. inventory, initiated in 1988 using into the Commonwealth’s nature Metropolis Lake in McCracken methodology consistent with preserve system in 1981. Bat County was also dedicated as a similar surveys in other states, Cave and Cascade Caverns State State Nature Preserve. continues to this day. On June 1, Park Nature Preserve in Carter 1988, the name of the Commis- County, Blue Lick State Park The Natural Heritage Program sion was changed from Kentucky Nature Preserve in Robertson database contained over 6,300 Nature Preserves Commission County and Natural Bridge State records by January of 1985. (KNPC) to the Kentucky State Nature Preserve in Powell The Commission then moni- Nature Preserves Commission

2 - NATURALLY KENTUCKY (KSNPC) by legislative action. and Vernon-Douglas in Hardin Warren County were dedi- County were added to the nature cated early this year. The KSNPC had published five preserve system. Commission will also publish volumes in its scientific and an updated Endangered and technical series by January of In April 1994, KSNPC moved Threatened Species list, 1989. These included a report on from 407 Broadway to 801 which now contains over 600 the fishes of the Dix and lower Schenkel Lane, significantly species and 54 natural com- Green rivers, Kentucky’s fish improving its facilities. The munities. The Kentucky fauna, and the aquatic and wet- 1994 General Assembly passed Breeding Bird Atlas, com- land plants of the Common- the Rare Plant Recognition Act, piled and written by Brainard wealth. The latter book by John authorizing KSNPC to create an Palmer-Ball, Jr., is forthcom- Thieret of Northern Kentucky official state list of endangered ing and should be available by University has been reprinted and and threatened plants. The 1994 the summer. KSNPC’s World is used as a university textbook. General Assembly also appropri- Wide Web homepage was 1990 saw the first funding from ated monies for the Kentucky recently completed. It can be the legislature strictly for land Heritage Land Conservation seen at URL: http:/ acquisition purposes. Fund, a funding program for www.state.ky. us/agencies/ public and private land acquisi- nrepc/ksnpc/index.htm. 1990 saw four more dedications: tion and initial management. By Dinsmore Woods in Boone 1994, KSNPC staff totaled 11 Two permanent regional County, Flat Rock Glade in permanent and 12 seasonal preserve manager positions Simpson County, Raymond positions. are now filled by Dave Skin- Athey Barrens and Logan County ner and Rick Remington, the Glade both in Logan County. KSNPC saw in 1995 the imple- first additional permanent The following year Axe Lake in mentation of a local area com- stewardship staff since 1986. Ballard County and Chaney Lake puter network and increased Their arrival greatly enhances in Warren County were dedi- technological capabilities. the Commission’s stewardship cated. Computer networking allowed efforts. A seasonal steward- greater manipulation and inter- ship ecologist will be hired In September 1992, Richard pretation of data within the this year to do community Hannan resigned to take a posi- Biological Conservation Data- classifications of state nature tion with the U.S. Fish and base, which then held over 9,000 preserves. Wildlife Service in Atlanta, records of endangered, threat- Georgia. Marc Evans served as ened or special concern plants, Tasks ahead include develop- Acting Director until January of animals and natural communities. ment of a classification 1993 when Robert McCance, Jr., Internet access and electronic system that will provide a became KSNPC’s third director. mail capabilities were also framework by which natural 1992 was also the busiest year established. KSNPC dedicated communities in Kentucky can ever for State Nature Preserve Blanton Forest in Hardin County; be inventoried, itemized and dedications. Goodrum Cave in its 32nd nature preserve. assessed for preservation Allen County, Kingdom Come purposes, continued natural State Park Nature Preserve in 1996 stands to be one of the areas inventories of Harlan, Letcher County, Quiet Trails in busiest and best years yet. Bell and Letcher counties, Harrison County, Terrapin Creek Floracliff State Nature Preserve and the preparation of Com- in Graves County, Thompson in Fayette County and Woodburn mission comments for the Creek Glades in Larue County, Glade State Natural Area in U.S. Forest Service regarding

Continued on page 5 NATURALLY KENTUCKY - 3 Stewardship Program Regional Manager, worked for to Rick is the prescribed burning the Ohio State Parks Depart- New Staff Profiles and restoration of the barrens/ ment and regional park dis- glade areas in the western part of tricts for the past fifteen years. the Kentucky. by Joyce Bender He attended MiamiUniversity’s unique Interdisciplinary Stud- Rick is eager to begin his new The Stewardship Program has ies Program where he earned a life in Kentucky as is his fiance’ gotten off to a great start in 1996. Bachelor’s Degree with an Heather, who will join him here On January second, Dave Skinner emphasis in Applied Ecology. following their April 20 and Rick Remington joined my Most of his career has been as wedding. In his free time, Rick staff as the two permanent a park naturalist. As a natural- enjoys bicycling, backpacking, Regional Nature Preserve Manag- ist, Dave’s exposure to natural and acoustic guitar. He will ers. They joined Brad Nyholm, areas management and restora- spend this first year in who has been working as an tion work appealed to him so Frankfort before being eleven-month seasonal planning much that he decided to relocated to the Bowling Green assistant since December 18. redirect his career into natural area where he will be closer to Brad is busy writing preserve areas management. Dave finds the western preserves. Rick is management plans and has taken his new position very reward- looking forward to the on the responsibility of managing ing and meaningful. challenges of his new job and our volunteer program. He will the diversity of duties that also be assisting me in writing Dave is married to Susan, a come with it. resource management plans for high school biology teacher. Heritage Land Conservation Fund They both enjoy wilderness Brad and Heather, his wife of projects. camping, gardening, canoeing, two and a half years, and Sara, birding and research on their four-month-old daughter, I’ve divided up the state and the neotropical migrant birds. moved from Virginia to make nature preserves into two regions. Dave is a bird bander and their new home in central Presently, the eastern region is besides working on his own Kentucky. Brad studied comprised of seventeen preserves projects, he assists with two Geography and Geology at and the western region has bird migration observatories. Radford University in Radford, sixteen. I have certainly been Virginia, where he earned a enjoying the time spent in the Rick is the Western Regional B.S. in Geography: North field introducing Rick and Dave Preserves Manager. Rick is a America Regional Studies. to their respective preserves. native of Wisconsin and a Before graduating, he entered After Rick and Dave get up to graduate of the University of the natural resources field by speed, we will increase the Wisconsin - Stevens Point. volunteering as a GIS/Forestry frequency of preserve inspections, He received a B.S. in Natural Technician with the U.S. rare species monitoring, and Resources with a minor in Forest Service. He was hired general maintenance for all our Environmental Communica- onto a seasonal appointment preserves. Additionally, we will tion. Rick has spent the last after graduation, and later be able to accommodate requests eight years working with a secured a contract to research for guided hikes by setting up a wide variety of natural re- the air quality of the Daniel schedule of events on selected sources agencies. Most Boone National Forest. preserves. recently he has been involved Working to preserve natural in preserve stewardship with areas means a great deal to All three men bring a wealth of The Nature Conservancy him and he is thrilled to be experience to the Stewardship throughout the Midwest and contributing to KSNPC’s Program. Dave, the Eastern Maine. Of particular interest mission.

4 - NATURALLY KENTUCKY KSNPC Celebrates 20th Anniversary Goodbye...Hello! KSNPC Commission Continued from page 3

the ten year management plan for After working with the Commis- The past 20 years have seen many the Daniel Boone National sion for five years, Landon changes and KSNPC Commission Forest. McKinney, Nature Preserves members have been no exception. Field Representative aka Land Since 1976, eighteen people have Commission botanists will Protection Specialist, left held this distinguished position, present recovery plans and KSNPC February 15, 1996. many serving more than one term. inventories for Eggert’s Sun- Landon has returned to his native As provided by KRS 146.425, the flower (Helianthus egertii) and state of Tennessee and we wish KSNPC Commission consist of Braun’s Rockcress (Arabis him all the best in his future five members qualified and perstallata), and will undertake endeavors. appointed by the Governor for a an effort to update historical term of three years. occurrences of rare plants. A new face around the office is that of Michelle Clendenin. The latest changes for the Aquatic biologists will complete Michelle came on board the first Commission is the departure of a project with Mammoth Cave of the year to conduct county- Hugh Archer. Mr. Archer served National Park to establish a level natural area inventory. on the Commission since 1989 monitoring program of freshwa- Michelle graduated with a Mas- and among other great things, ter mussels in the Green River. ters of Forestry degree from was instrumental in the acquistion They will also inventory freshwa- Stephen F. Austin State Univer- of Blanton Forest State Nature ter mussels of the Red River sity in Nacoghoches, Texas. Preserve. He now calls The within Daniel Boone National We're excited to have her on Kentucky River Authority his Forest, and will continue an board! home since his appointment as aquatic inventory of the Eastern director in December of last year. Kentucky coalfield. Everyone else is gearing up again He continues to remain as active for summer field work with the as possible with the Commission's Terrestrial biologists will con- addition of seasonal personnel. mission and goals. duct inventories for rare species on several nature preserves and Mrs. Lucy A. Breathitt was within the coal bearing regions appointed as Hugh's replacement of the state. and will serve the remainder of Mr. Archer's term through June The last twenty years of the 30. Mrs. Breathitt's enthusiasm is Kentucky State Nature Preserves contagious and we're excited at Commission have been active having her serve with us. ones. Much has been accom- KSNPC Quarterly plished, but there is much yet to do. We at the Commission look Commission Meeting forward to the next twenty years of preserving the best examples WHEN: June 14, 1996 of Kentucky’s Natural Heritage. WHERE: Jefferson County Memorial Forest, Welcome Center Conference Room TIME: 10:00 a.m.

NATURALLY KENTUCKY - 5 New Preserves Dedicated Rediscovery Or so we thought! Only later did we discover that we had in fact Continued from page 1 of the found the western sand darter western sand darter (Ammocrypta clara), which Board that operates Floracliff and will be managed to protect (Ammocrypta clara) superficially looks like an eastern sand darter but is much more rare a geologic feature known as in Kentucky. Western sand tufa, for environmental education, darters inhabit sandy rivers in the for natural community manage- by ment and for scientific research. Ronald R. Cicer ello Mississippi River drainage to the and west and north, but they are rare E.L. Laudermilk in Kentucky and in states to the Two additional tracts to Terrapin south. Until this rediscovery, the Creek State Nature Preserve Commission believed that the located in southern Graves Whenever Commission western sand darter was extirpated County were also dedicated. biologists venture into the field, from Kentucky, where the last of One tract consists of 31 acres, we have written and mental three total sightings was made in and the other contains 48 acres. shopping lists of rare or unusual the Big Sandy River drainage in The largest portion of these plants and animals that we would 1938! Our good fortune was dedicated additions was pur- like to find. While working on the compounded upon recognizing chased with money from Harper Green River in Mammoth Cave that what we assumed was an Industries, Inc., of Paducah, based on a wetland mitigation plan. Terrapin Creek and its associated wetlands and tributaries support the most unique fish fauna in Kentucky. In addition to a number of rare darters, madtoms, and sunfishes, several fishes occur nowhere else in Kentucky and reach their National Park last summer, the eastern sand darter that we and northern range limit in Terrapin sight of an extensive sandy shoal summer assistant Matt Patterson Creek. Other rare species below Cave Island reminded us had found in the North Fork include the three-lined that the eastern sand darter Kentucky River near Jackson in salamander and western ribbon (Ammocrypta pellucida) had not June also was a western sand snake. been seen in the Park since 1929. darter! Because of these Long, slender, stream fishes that fortunate discoveries, the western Woodburn Glade and both live on and in clean sand deposits, sand darter will be added to our Terrapin Creek additions cannot the eastern sand darter is consid- rare species list as endangered, be opened for public visitation ered of special concern by the and other aquatic biologists possi- until additional acreage is ac- Commission and is a candidate for bly will soon report additional quired so that adequate trails listing as endangered or threat- occurrences. and parking facilities can be ened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife developed. Floracliff is also Service. By laboriously dragging a But with the approach of spring not open for public visitation seine over the extensive shoal and another field season, it’s time and use will be restricted numerous times, we and Amy to check the shopping list and to according to Dr. Wharton’s Covert, our summer assistant, think about what other species will. were rewarded with two beautiful hard work or serendipity might eastern sand darters! yield!

6 - NATURALLY KENTUCKY You are cordially invited to join the staff of the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission for an open house in celebration of 20 years of protecting Kentucky’s best natural areas.

Friday, July 12 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. 801 Schenkel Lane Frankfort, Kentucky 40601

As stated earlier in this issue, KSNPC is celebrating 20 years of protecting Kentucky’s best natural areas. July 15 officially marks the Commission’s birthday; however, Saturday, June 1 will kick-off the celebration with a tour of Eagle Falls and Cumberland Falls State Park Nature Preserve. Many tours are being planned throughout the rest of the year to take advantage of the area’s best features. Other tours are as follows.

Eagle Falls & Cumberland Falls SPNP Bad Branch SNP Whitley and McCreary counties - June 1 Letcher County - June 15 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (eastern) 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (eastern) Observe wildflower display, sensitive plants associated Join KSNPC's Data Systems Manager, Tim Clarke in with river bank and cliffline habitats with KSNPC viewing hemlock and rhododendron line banks of Environmental Biologist Martina Hines. Poor Fork of . Limit 20: strenuous Limit 20, moderate/difficult hike. hike, not suitable for children under 12.

Flat Rock Glade SNP Pilot Knob SNP Simpson County - June 15 Powell County - June 22 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (central) 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. (eastern) Visit the only flat rock glade in Kentucky and see Join KSNPC Director Bob McCance in hiking up the prairie/glade flora and several rare plants with sandstone outcrop and observe Kentucky from the KSNPC Botanist Deborah White. Limit 20; easy hike. prominence from which Daniel Boone may have first viewed the Bluegrass region. Limit 20; difficult.

Quiet Trails SNP Metropolis Lake SNP Harrison County - June 22 McCracken County - June 22 9:00 a.m. - 12 noon (eastern) 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (central) Join KSNPC Stewardship Coordinator, Joyce Bender Observe dragonfly territorial display, egg disposition, and view the Licking River and native wildflowers. and other amazing dragonfly behavior with KSNPC Limit 20; moderate hike. Environmental Biologist, Ellis Laudermilk. Limit 20; easy hike.

Blanton Forest SNP Raymond Athey Barrens SNP Harlan County - July 27 Logan County - September 7 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (eastern) 10:00 a.m. - 12 noon (central) Join KSNPC Botanist Marc Evans and see Kentucky's See barrens restoration and early fall wildflowers with premiere old growth forest. Limit 20; strenuous hike. KSNPC Western Regional Nature Preserves Manager, Rick Remington. Limit 15; moderate hike.

More tour information on page 8

NATURALLY KENTUCKY - 7 Vernon Douglas SNP Vernon Douglas SNP Hardin County - September 28 (night hike) Hardin County - October 12 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. (central) 8:00 a.m. - 12 noon (eastern) Go on an owl prowl with Eastern Regional Nature Join KSNPC's Terrestrial Biologist, Brainard Palmer- Preserves Manager, David Skinner. Hikers may see Ball in search of fall songbird migrants. Limit 20; glow worms and other types of wildlife. No flashlights difficult hike rating. please. Limit 20; moderate/difficult hike. Not appropriate for small children.

Tours are limited and reservations will be taken on a first come, first-served basis. Contact Teresa Prather at 502/573-2886 for reservations.

Field Trip Ra tings

easy ...... Hiking short distances on trails with little or no slope. moderate...... Generally easy with a comfortable pace. Must be able to negotiate occasional steep slope or rough trail. difficult ...... More endurance required to negotiate longer distances and longer stretches of steep slopes and rough trail. stren uous . . . . . Long hik e, br isk pace , sometimes of f-trail, stee p slopes and/or ste ps involved.

An Equal Opportunity The Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Cabinet does not discriminate on the basis of race, Employer M/F/H color, national origin, sex, age, religion, or disability and provides, upon request, reasonable accommoda- tions including auxiliary aids and services necessary to afford an individual with a disability an equal Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission opportunity to participate in all services, programs, and activities. 801 Schenkel Lane, Frankfort, KY 40601 Tel. (502)573-2886 Fax (502)573- 2355 [email protected] It is the mission of the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission to protect Kentucky's natural heritage by: (1) identifying, acquiring, and managing natural Director areas that represent the best known occurrences of rare native species, natural Robert J. McCance, Jr. communities, and significant natural features in a statewide nature preserves Staff system; (2) working with others to protect biological diversity; and (3) educating Joyce Bender Kentuckians as to the value and purpose of nature preserves and biodiversity Ronald Cicerello conservation. Tim Clarke Michelle Clendenin Marc Evans Bulk Rate Commonwealth of Kentucky Martina Hines Kentucky State US Postage Ellis Laudermilk Nature Preserves Paid Dot Marek Frankfort, KY Brad Nyholm Commission Brainard Palmer-Ball 801 Schenkel Lane, Frankfort, KY 40601 Permit #379 Teresa Prather Rick Remington Melissa Richey Dan Russell David Skinner Deborah White

Commissioners Judith McCandless, Chair Kenneth Jackson, Secretary Lucy A. Breathitt O.D. Hawkins Edwin Sutton

Printed with state funds on recycled paper

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