Date of trip: Sept. 13, 2023 Start time: 5PM EDT Location: Pine Creek Barrens Nature Preserve, Bullitt County, KY Difficulty of hike: Moderate, approximately 2 miles and 2 hours.
Alan Abbott, hike leader.
Join Kentucky Native Plant Society member Alan Abbott for a sunset tour of Pine Creek Barrens. We’ll be discussing some of the different plant communities of the Louisville area and looking for a number of late-season flowers in bloom, such as Clasping Aster (Symphyotrichum patens), Rough Blazing Star (Liatris aspera) and Obedient Plant (Physostegia virginiana).
The hike starts at 5pm and it should take about 2 hours to complete the 2 mile trail. Meet at the main parking area. There is usually a porta-potty there. Make sure to bring plenty of water and tick protection.
This is a joint event with the Fairdale Seed Library.
Register for this field trip
Because this is a joint field trip, we limited signups to 5 people. The trip is now filled. If you have any questions, email us at KYPlants@knps.org.
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources manages tracts of public land throughout the state for recreational use. These Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) are largely managed for hunting and fishing, although many of them also offer opportunities for hiking and wildlife viewing. In total, the 88 WMAs that stretch the commonwealth from Paducah to Pikeville and many stops between account for over 500,000 acres of public land.
You can view native plants and wildlife on WMAs. Photo: KDFWR
Kentucky’s WMAs are likely not foreign to many sportswomen and men throughout the state as an estimated 19% of Kentucky hunters utilize these lands during various hunting seasons. Those individuals who do not hunt or fish may not be as familiar with the opportunities that these areas present and are encouraged to explore the possibilities at their local WMA or plan a trip to a management area of interest.
While virtually all of Kentucky’s WMAs can be explored on foot, nearly 60 offer hiking opportunities with defined trails, many of which occur in conjunction with Kentucky State Parks. An additional 15 management areas offer specific wildlife viewing opportunities for those hoping to catch a glimpse of land mammals, waterfowl, songbirds, and birds of prey. Many WMAs have a blend of terrain and habitat types, offering the chance to explore woodland, grassland, and wetland areas with varying degrees of ruggedness.
Fish and Wildlife staff maintain WMAs. Photo: KDFWR
Fish and Wildlife staff implement specific management strategies for different WMAs. Some offer wildlife food plots and pollinator plantings while others serve as important habitat for migratory songbirds and waterfowl.
A listing of Kentucky’s WMAs, including detailed descriptions and pertinent info for visitors, can be found on the KDFWR website at www.fw.ky.gov. Specific features, including hiking trails, wildlife viewing, horseback trails, and picnic areas, can be filtered to allow individuals to search for a specific management area that offers desired amenities. An interactive map allows for easy and strategic planning.
Outdoor and wildlife enthusiasts may also be interested in Kentucky Wild, a KDFWR program that supports conservation of Kentucky’s native species not hunted, fished for, or trapped. Kentucky Wild is a membership-based program in which funds from paying members contribute to conservation projects aimed at helping vulnerable wildlife including songbirds, raptors, freshwater mussels, bats, and pollinators. More information can be found at https://app.fw.ky.gov/kywild/.
Geoff is a program coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources who loves sharing his passion for wildlife and the outdoors with others. A lifelong Kentuckian, Geoff enjoys birding, hiking, bass fishing, and exploring the state’s many outdoor opportunities in his free time.
Date of trip: July 29, 2023 Start time: 10AM EDT Location: Fleming WMA, Fleming Co., KY Difficulty of hike: Difficult, approximately 2 miles and 2 hours. Given the heat and terrain this could be a challenging hike.
Explore a part of Kentucky’s wilderness with KNPS!
Join us at Fleming Wildlife Management Area on July 29th at 10AM for a two-hour hike. The WMA has an oak-hickory forest mixed with flatwoods and small wetland openings, which means we might spot orchids and wetland plants.
Alan Abbott, hike leader.
We’ll meet in the main parking lot shortly before 10AM. Look for the hide leader, Alan Abbott. The hike begins at 10AM. It’s two miles and should last two to three hours.
Consider bringing bug spray, and we suggest wearing tall boots. Given the heat and terrain this could be a challenging hike.
This is a joint event between KNPS and the Kentucky chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers (KYBHA), another group focused on conserving and exploring Kentucky’s natural landscape. Registration for this hike is required. Members and friends of KNPS can use the form at the bottom of this article to register. Members and friends of of KYBHA can RSVP on their Event page, KYBHA Plant ID Walk.
All WMAs are owned and maintained by the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources and open most of the year to the public. In a coming issue, you’ll learn more about these WMAs and how you can visit to enjoy Kentucky’s flora and fauna.
Register for this field trip
KNPS members and friends can register for this hike using the form below. Because this is a joint field trip, we are limiting signups to 5 people.
