Announcing WildernessLouisville, Inc.
Fall/Winter 2014
ith great excitement and anticipation we formally announce the creation ofa501(c)(3)non-profittoraiseWfundsinsupportofJeffersonMemorialForest/MetroParks’NaturalAreasDivision!Thisnewgroup,WildernessLouisville,Inc.,wasincorporatedinJuneof2013andquicklysetaboutbuildingitsboardofdirectorsandobtainingtheabilitytoaccepttax-deductibledonations.ThatapprovalwasreceivedfromtheIRSthispastJulyandthegroupisactivelyworkingtogrowitsfundraisingcapacity.Insomeways,formationofWildernessLouisvillebringstheForestfull-circletohonoritspast.Yet,equallyimportant,itsformationsetstheForestonapathtowardsmeetingitsfullpotentialasLouisville’scommunityforestandakeystonenaturalattractionofsouthLouisville’sSouthPointsScenicArea.ThenameWildernessLouisvillepayshomagetoaprevious,butlongdisbandedgroup,WildernessJeffersonCounty,whichworkedinthe1970’sandearly1980’storaisefundsforlandacquisitionattheForest.Furthermore,wearehonoredtoreacquainttheForestwithformerJeffersonCountyJudgeExecutiveandLouisvilleMayor,DavidL.Armstrong,whohasassumedtheroleoftheboard’sfirstchair.AsmanywhohavefrequentedtheForestovertheyearsareaware,MayorArmstrongwasinstrumentalinanumberofthekeydevelopmentsattheForestinthe1990sincludingacquisitionoftheHorineReservation,renovationoftheWelcomeCenter,andcreationoftheForest’seducationalprograms.Theboardhasalreadyhelditsfirstfundraiseras
thispastMaywitnessedthefirst-annualForestFestsilentauctionwithproceedssupportingtheForest’seffortstoexpandavailabilityofnature-basedrecreationinWestLouisville.Comingup,pleasemarkyourcalendarsfortheMayor’sFallOutdoorAdventureonSaturday,October18thwhereWildernessLouisvillewillhostabrunchfundraisertojumpstartacrowd-fundingcampaignwithagoalofraising$10,000towardsconstructionofnewprogramsheltersadjacenttotheForest’s
environmental education center.ThesenewshelterswillhelpusexpandtheForest’scapacityforoffering environmental and recreational programming toareapublic,private,andparochialschools.Beyondtheseinitialmodestefforts,theboardisworkingtobuilditscapacitytosupportmoresubstantialfundraisingnecessarytoimplementtheForest’s2009masterplanwhichcallsforapproximately$50millionininfrastructureinvestmentincluding new educational andrecreationalfacilities.Thesefacilities,includingexpandedtrailsandanewcampground will continue tomakeJeffersonMemorialForestoneofthepremierdestinationsinKentucky
forexperiencingthegreatoutdoorsandnatureatitsfinest.FormoreinformationonWildernessLouisville,Inc.includinginformationonhowyoucansupportitsmission,pleasevisitwildernesslouisville.org.
Bennett Knox, Parks Administrator
CurrentWilderness Louisville
Board of DirectorsChair•DavidArmstrong
Public Service CommissionVice-Chair•ShannonGraves
Cemex, Inc.Treasurer•SaraMassey
Metro GovernmentSecretary•TheresaZawacki
Metro Government
TomArmstrong,RetiredDanCaudill,Caudill Seed Co.
SteVonEdwards,Outdoor Afro KYRyanKing,Quest Outdoors, Inc.
BennettKnox, JMFDudleySaunders,Retired
LynnRippy,YouthBuild Louisville
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All about KidsBicycle SportCaudill Seed Co.Derby Dinner PlayhouseFred’s Smokehouse at Jim BeamIroquois AmphitheaterJimbo’s Barbeque
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GOOD TIMES AT WEST LOUISVILLE APPRECIATION DAYSAspartofJeffersonMemorialForest’seffortstoextendnature-basededucationalandrecreationalopportunitiestowestLouisville,onJuly26th,ForeststaffandvolunteerspartneredwithOutdoorAfro,Kentucky,theHealingFuturesFellows,andBikeSensetoshowcasesuchoutdoorrecreationalactivitiesinShawneeParkduringWestLouisvilleAppreciationDays.TheeffortishappeningwithsupportoftheNationalParksServicethroughtheirRecreationalTrailsandConservationAssistanceProgram.Duringtheevent,participantscompletedasurveywhichwillhelpMetroParksdeterminecurrentrecreationalusagepatternsandobtainfeedbackonthetypeofnature-basedrecreationalopportunitiesresidentswouldliketosee.OneluckysurveyrespondenttookhomeanewbikecourtesyofParksideBikesonBardstownRoad!Surveyresultswillfeedintoaplanningeffortthat’sunderwayandwhichreceivedaboostofsupportasaresultofMayorFischerallocating$170,000inthemostrecentbudgettosupportplanningforinfrastructuresuchascanoelaunches,safefishingareas,anddevelopmentofasatellitestewardshipcenterinShawneeParktobecalledtheShawneeOutdoorLearning(SOL)center.JeffersonMemorialForestwouldliketothankDistrict5MetroCouncilwomanCheriBryantHamiltonforhersupport.Andwe’dalsoliketothankWildernessLouisvilleforconductingasilentauctionthispastMaytosupporttheevent.Pleaseshowyourappreciationbythankingthebusinesses(below)whichdonateditemstothesilentauction,whichhelpedraiseover$1,600.
Kaelin’s featured at Mulligan’sLegendz Hair SalonMelissa Hatfield - ArtistPaintball AsylumParkside BikesPeace of the EarthQuest Outdoors
Riverside RocksportShack in the Back BBQSister Bean’s CoffeeSky Zone Indoor Trampoline ParkSwags Shoes
The Fishery RestaurantThe Floral GrindTuscany Italian RestaurantWhole FoodsYouthBuild Louisville
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Local Groups Lend a Helping HandUPSemployeesassistedwithtreeplantingintheCliftonHeightsGreenwaythisspring,furtheringourongoingeffortstorestorethislovelylittleneighborhoodgreenspace.VolunteersfromeBay Enterprises came togetherafterworkoneSaturdaytowalktheGreenbeltsectionoftheLouisvilleLoopandremove litter. Eleven HumanavolunteersspentaSaturdaymorningworkingatWaverlyPark.Usinghandtools,theyhardenedthetrailsurfaceofthenewPlaygroundLooptrail,assuringitwasreadyandsafeforhikers.Altria/Philip Morrissent35employeestospendanafternoonhelpingusremovewintercreepervinesatCapertonSwampinJune.Inadditiontoremovingmultiplebagsofinvasivevines,theydonatednewgloves,trashbagsandinsectsprayforfuturevolunteerevents.VeryspecialthankstovolunteerandU of L professorSteve Kendra,forbringingsomanydelightfulstudentstoTrailTeamandLandStewardprojectdays.HisdedicationandenthusiasmiscontagiousandmanystudentshavetakenuphischallengetogivebacktotheNaturalAreasparks.ThestudentshaveattendedbothroutineprojectdaysandspecialinvasiveplantremovaldaysdesignedandledbySteve.Thanks,Steve,forbeingagreatleader,andthankstoallyourstudentswholenttheirsmilesandhardworktoourprojects.Bellarmine Universitysent33freshmentospendamorningwithusatCapertonSwampclearinginvasivevines(left).After80manhoursandmulitplebagsofgatheredvines,theywereproudandtired!Eachindividualmakesagroupstronger–pleasejoinin.Eachgroupmakesadifference–pleasesignup.Eacheventfurthersthemissionandmakesourcommunitystronger–pleasescheduleyourgroup’seventtoday!Call502/380-1753.
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VOLUNTEER NEWS
OurrestructuredvolunteerprogramintroducedinJanuaryhasbeenasuccess,adding20newvolunteerstoourgrowingfamily!Inadditiontoaddinggeneralvolunteers,severalhavejumpedfeetfirstintoadditionaltrainings,earningsspecialtiesincanoeing,animalcareandteambuilding.It’snottoolateforyoutojoin,too!Wehaveacontinuedneedforweekdayvolunteerswillingtoworkwithchildrenandyoungadults.SchoolsandgroupscometotheForesttolearnteambuilding,climbtheAlpineTower,learnaboutanimaladaptations,andexperiencenature.Volunteersassistbyleadingsmallgroupsintheseendeavors,providingguidance,amentorandassuringsafety.Trainingisprovided.Volunteerorientationpresentsourmissionandvolunteeropportunitiesinabrief,two-hourintroduction.Optionaltrainingsarepresentedcafeteria-style,allowingeachvolunteertocustomizetheirvolunteerexperiencebyspecializinginthetopic(s)oftheir choice. Freshoutoforientation,generalvolunteerscanparticipateinprojectworkdays,stafffestivalboothsorassistintheofficeandplayareas.Thevolunteerexperiencecanbeenhancedbychoosingoneormorespecialtytopics.SpecialtiesareavailableinServiceandTeachingareas.ServiceSpecialties(SS)aredefinedasthoseservicesspecifictothatpurpose,suchaslandmanagement,trailorotherdutieslargelyoutsidethepublicview.
TeachingSpecialists(TS)arevolunteereducatorswhoworkcloselywithourprogramdepartment.Theyleadclassesandgroupsforbothpublicandprivateprograms,interprettothepublicandprovideassistanceasrequested. Thenewdesignoffersanumberofadvantages:•Orientationsdisseminatevital informationinabrief,two-hourperiod.•Volunteersarereadyforinvolvementinas
littleastwohours.•Optionalspecializationallowsavolunteer
tocustomizetheirexperience.•Volunteerstrainonlyintopicsofinterest.
Nowastedtrainingtime.•Enhancedcross-overopportunities
betweenserviceandteachingareas.•Trainingscheduleincludesgeneral
interestsessionstoenhancethevolunteerexperience.
Orientationsfornew,approvedvolunteersareheldmonthlyonthefirstMondayofeachmonth,from10amtonoon.Periodicweekendorientationsandtrainingsmaybescheduledasneeded;however,ourgreatestneedisforweekdayvolunteers.Ifyouwouldliketojoinus,orsimplywanttohearmoreaboutourprogram,pleasecontactourVolunteerCoordinatoratSherry.Wright@louisvilleky.gov.
Does your group have what it takes to make a difference in a Natural Areas park? Give us a call! We would love to coordinate a volunteer event especially for you. We have projects suitable for single-day service projects as well as Eagle Scouts. If you need a project, contact Volunteer Coordinator Sherry Wright at 380-1753 or at [email protected].
Bellarmine University freshmen at Caperton SwampBellarmine University freshmen at Caperton Swamp
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Public Program Calendar: September to FebruaryTheForestoffersprogramsforallages.Formoreinformationvisitourwebsiteatmemorialforest.comorcalltheWelcomeCenterat502/368-5404.Ourstaffwillbehappytohelpmakereservations,givedirectionstotheprogramlocation,orprovideacompletescheduleofprogramsthroughouttheyear.Forallprograms,pleasewearclose-toedwalkingshoesanddressfortheweather.
Reservations are required in advance. The Forest reserves the right to cancel, change or postpone program dates and venues,due to insufficient registration, conditions or weather. In such cases rain checks will be provided.
September OUTDOOR SKILLS: ORIENTEERING ISaturday, September 13, 9 a.m.-Noon
Mapandlandscapereadingareskillseveryoutdoorpersonneedstopossess.Thisprogramequipsparticipantswiththeskillsnecessarytoreadandinterprettopographicmapsandlocatedestinations.Thisin-fieldsetofexercisesistrulyahands-onlearningexperience.Ages12andup.ProgrammeetsintheHorineReservation.Fee:$10PerPerson/PerClass-Preregistrationisrequired.
FAMILY CANOE DAYAT TOM WALLACE LAKESaturday, September 20, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Getyourselfgeared-upforafamilytreatandspecialdayoffun!Takeacanoeoutonthelake,andspendtimeontheshorelearningabouttheincrediblecreaturesthatlivebelow.Areyoureadytostartpaddlingbutnotsureofwheretostart?Joinustodiscoverthebasicsofcanoeing.Spendsometimeonthelakepracticingyourskills.Don’tworryifyouarenewtocanoeing–allequipment(canoe,paddles,andpersonalflotationdevices)isprovided.Thisprogramissuitableforbeginningpaddlers(ages5andtoadult.)Fee:ActivitiesFree;$10canoe rental
October THIRD ANNUALURBAN WILDERNESS CANOE ADVENTURES Shawnee Park, Friday, October 3 and Riverview Park, Saturday, October 4, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thisfreeeventisdesignedforindividualsandfamilieswhoarenewtocanoeingtoexperiencethewaterinsafeandstablevoyageurcanoeswhichhold9people.
Allsafetyequipmentandtrainedstaffareprovided.Theeventisopentoanyoneages3andolder.Wearcomfortableoutdoorclothingthatcangetwet;noflipflopsplease.Allchildrenunder18musthaveawaiversignedbyaparentorlegalguardian.
MAYOR’S FALL HIKE AND OUTDOOR ADVENTURESaturday, October 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
JoinMayorGregFischerforafamily-friendlyfallexplorationofJeffersonMemorialForest.TheeventisheldneartheForest’sEnvironmentalEducationCenterandoffersawidevarietyofactivitiesshowcasingalltheForesthastooffer.Foreststaffandvolunteersintroducevisitorstoournativeplantgardens,animalexhibits,andeducationpond.ActivitiesforchildrenareprovidedintheNatureExplorearea.Climbthe52-ftAlpineTower,tryyourhandatarchery,joinanexpertonaguidedhike,ortakeadvantageofacanoeingdemonstrationonMitchellHillLake.ComeearlyfortheFourdeLisClassic5Kraceat8AM.Freepumpkindecoratingandhayrides.Foodwillbeavailableforpurchaseaspartofafundraiser,sponsoredbyWildernessLouisville,Inc.tosupporttheForest.MeetsattheHorineReservation.EventisFREE.
November LEARN FROM HISTORY:SLEEPING IN STYLE - WIGWAMS! November, 8, 1-4 p.m.
HelpJeffersonMemorialForestbuildanAmericanIndianwigwam!Usingmaterialsfromtheforestparticipantswillbeginhandconstructiononawigwam.Howweretheyconstructed,whatmaterialswereused,andhowweretheymadeintolivablefamilysheltersinallseasonsoftheyear?ThefocusofLearnfromHistoryeventsistoexperiencevariousaspectsofthelivesofthefirstindigenouspeopleofKentucky.
Throughactiveinvolvementparticipantswillbuild,plant,make,andcookusingactualmaterialsandprocesses.Participantsmustcomereadytolearnnotonlyfromsuccess,butalsofromfailure.Duetothehands-onnatureofthisprogramminimumageis10,andeacheventislimitedto16participants.Fee$15/person.PreregistrationisrequiredthroughtheJeffersonMemorialForestWelcomeCenterat502/368-5404.ProgrammeetsintheHorineSectionofJeffersonMemorialForest.
FOX:FAMILIES OUTSIDE X-PLORINGFALL IN GEORGE ROGERS CLARK Saturday, November 15, 9-11:30 a.m.
GetyourFamilyOutsideeXploringadifferentMetroParkeachseason.ANaturalistwillguideyourfamilyonanexplorationinGeorgeRogersClarkPark.Hike,searchfortracks,discoverwildlifefoodthatisneededforthewinter,buildforts,playinleaves,getawayfromtechnologyandbecomeacloserfamily.Thisisagreatopportunitytoplaywithyourkidsandletthemexperiencenature.Bringwaterbottles,asnackanddressfortheweather.Wewillbeoutsidethewholetime.Warning:Youwillgetdirtonyourshirt!Meetsintheparkinglot.Preregistrationrequired.Fee:$8/Family
February VALENTINE’S DAY ROMANTIC HIKE AND RETREATFebruary, TBD
Thisfavoriteannualeventincludesacandlelithikeanddeliciousdesserts!Itsellsouteveryyear,socheckthewebsitefordatesandtimes!
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Tenth Annual Forest Fest a Huge Success!ThisyearmarkedthetenthannualForestFest,andwhatasuccessfulyearitwas!Theweatherwasgood,thecrowdandvendorsweregreat,andthemusicevenbetter!ForestFestfavoritesWhiskeyBentValleyBoysstartedofftheday,followedbytheup-and-comingNu-Blu,fromNorthCarolina.AmericanDrive—formerlyJDCrowe’sbandtheNewSouth—warmedupthestageforthephenomenalheadliners,Grammy-nominatedbluegrassartistNoamPikelnyandeight-timeInternationalBluegrassMusicAssociationFiddleroftheYear,StuartDuncan.Thecrowdenjoyedthebands,BBQfromShackintheBack,icecreamfromEhrler’s,andHeineBrotherscoffee,whileperusingcraftsfromsomeofthefinestlocalcraftspeoplearound.WeheardlotsofpraisefortheadditionthisyearofwinefromBrooksHillWinery.Thechildreninattendancekeptbusywithpaintball,abouncyhouse,nature-themedactivities,anddancingandplayinginthestraw.Themusiccontinuedwellafterthebandspackedup,withmanylocalbluegrassmusiciansjammingatthecampgrounduntiltheirfingersgottoocold.AheartfeltthankyoutopresentingsponsorDistrict13MetroCouncilwomanVickiWelch,andahugethankyoutoallthesponsors,partnerorganizations,staff,andvolunteerswhomadethesuccesspossible.Suchagreattimewashadbyall,andwecan’twaitforForestFest’15!
Another Record Year for JMF Summer Programs!Onceagain,wehavehadarecord-settingyearforsummercamps!Usingaschoolbusinsteadof15passengervanstoshuttlecampersfromTheLouisvilleTennisCenteratJoeCreasonParkallowedustoexpandtheenrollmentofcamperstoanall-timehigh.PerennialcampfavoritessuchasWaterWondersandAdventureCampfilledtoalargercapacitythanever.Camperswereallsmilesastheylearnedaboutnaturewhileexploringtheforestanddoingsuchactivitiesascookings’moresoverasodacanstovetheymadeinECOXtremecamp;decodingasecretmessagefromaforestgnomeinFairies,Trolls,andGnomecamp;exploringtheircreativesideinArtinNature;pettingasnakeinAnimalAdventures;andtravelingtotheFallsoftheOhioforourhistory-themednaturecampinpartnershipwithLocustGrove.Inadditiontoourtraditionalsummercampofferings,JMFaddedsomenewprogramsthissummerforcommunitycentersandprogramsthatserveat-riskyouthinLouisville.EachcommunitycenterhadtheopportunitytojoinForeststaffforaguidedhiketwicethroughoutthesummer,allowingover250youthofallagesandfromalloverLouisvilleachancetogetoutinnature!
Secondly,JMFofferedanewteencampthisyearforagenciesincludingtheGentlemen’sAcademy,FamilyScholarHouse,AmericanaCommunityCenter,LouisvilleMetroYouthDetentionServices,andNewcomerAcademy.InadditiontohikingandexploringShannon’sPondandMitchellHillLake,teenshadtheopportunitytocanoeatLongRunPark,fishatTomWallaceLake,shootbowsandarrowsatourarcheryrange,climbthewallatRocksportClimbingGym,andchallengethemselvesontheLouisvilleMegaCavernsMegaQuestcourse.Ofcourse,nosummercampiscompletewithoutwatergames,giantslip-n-slides,andpopsicles!Wereceivedwonderfulfeedbackfromparticipantsandagencystaffalike--onegentlemansaidhewantedtostayintheforestbecauseitwas“muchmorerelaxingthanthecity”.Another,afterinsistingwewerenotgoingtogethiminacanoe,saidthatcanoeingfelt“graceful”.Bylunchtime,wecouldn’tgethimout!WelookforwardtocontinuingtheseadventuresaspartofLouisvilleECHO(LouisvilleisEngagingChildrenintheOutdoors)programinthecomingschoolyear.Agreatdealofthankstooursummercampprogramstaff,Matt,Christa,Ryan,Alysa,Jonathan,Vicki,Georgia,Nadia,Kristie,MaryClare,andCharlesfortheirveryhardworkthissummermakingtheseprogramssosuccessful!
FOREST PROGRAMS
Newcomer Academy kidscanoeing on Mitchell Hill Lake
Youth from Americana Community Centerlearn to shoot bows and arrows
Teens took field tripsto Rocksport Climbing
Gym as part of theJMF teen camp
Youth from Americana Community Centerlearn to shoot bows and arrows
Teens took field tripsto Rocksport Climbing
Gym as part of theJMF teen camp
Headliners Stuart Duncan andNoam Pikelny at this year’s Forest FestPHOTO: Mike Lomax
Newcomer Academy kidscanoeing on Mitchell Hill Lake
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LAND MANAGEMENT NOTES
Kentucky Gladecress Restoration Work at McNeely Lake ParkTheNaturalAreasLandManagementstaffandvolunteershavedonesomeimportantworkrestoringcriticalhabitatforKentuckyGladecressthisyear.KentuckyGladecress(Leavenworthiaexiguavar.laciniata),adiminutivememberofthemustardfamily,waslistedasaFederallyThreatenedspeciesin2013.KentuckyGladecressisaKentuckyendemicspeciesfoundnowhereelseonourplanetotherthansouthernJeffersonandnorthernBullittcounties.Duetolandusechanges,mainlydevelopment,habitatsforKentuckyGladecresshavebeeneliminatedandthereforethisspeciesisbecomingquitescarce.Thestatus“Threatened”providesthisspecieswithcertainprotectionsfrompressureslikelanddevelopmentandlandusechangeswhichwouldnegativelyimpactpopulations.TheEndangeredSpeciesactprovidesfortwocategoriesofprotectionforimperiledspecies,“Threatened”and“Endangered”.An“Endangered”speciesisconsideredtobeindangerofbecomingextinctthroughoutallorasignificantportionofitsrange;whereas,a“Threatened”speciesislikelytobecomeEndangeredwithintheforeseeablefuture.KentuckyGladecressisfoundmainlyinhabitatscalledcedarglades.Agladeissimplyanopenspaceinaforest.Thepresenceofagladewithinaforestcanbetheresultofvariousforcesandconditions.GladeswhereKentuckyGladecressisfoundhavethinsoilsoverlyingoutcropsofageologicalfeaturecalledtheLaurelDolomite.Dolomiteissimilartolimestonebuthasahighercontentofmagnesium.Theterm“cedarglade”isduetothedominanceofEasternRedcedar(Juniperusvirginiana)withinthem.Historically,thesegladesremainedfreeofwoodyplantsduetoperiodicburnsonthelandscape,bothnaturallyoccurringandthoseofhumanorigin,andalsofromgrazingbylargelandmammalslikeBisonandElk.Asthisregionwassettled,mostofthegladehabitatswereincorporatedintofarmingactivitylikecowpasturesandhayfields.Latermanyoftheselocationsfelltoresidentialandindustrialdevelopment.Manyofthegladesuntouchedbydevelopment
wereallowedtogrowupwithwoodlandsandthickets.Leftwithouttheforcestokeepthemfreefromwoodyplantspecies,thegladesbecamewoodedandthustooshadytosupportKentuckyGladecress.Inaddition,accumulationofsoilfromleavesandhumuswasunfavorableforthisspecies.WenormallyseeKentuckyGladecressthrivingamonggravelysoilsalongtheedgesoftheLaurelDolomiteoutcrops.Thisthinsoilhabitattendstobeextremelywetduringthewinterandspringandextremelydryduringthesummerandfall.Observingaerialphotosfromthe1950stothepresent,itiseasytoseeaprogressionofwoodyvegetationclosingintheseglades,squeezingKentuckyGladecresshabitattosmallerandsmallerremnants.TheNaturalAreasDivision,workingcloselywiththeKentuckyStateNaturePreservesCommission,hasbeencarryingouthabitatimprovementworkthroughagrantfromtheUSFishandWildlifeService.Intheinitialstageoftheprojectwedocumentedthebotanicaldiversityinthreeprojectsites.Thisspring,LandManagementstaffandvolunteerscarriedoutdetailedmappingandcountsofKentuckyGladecressineachofthesesites.ThethreelocationswereselectedbasedonlevelsofhabitatlossandsurroundingpressuresinordertodemonstratewhatcouldbedoneforGladecressrecoveryinavarietyofcircumstances.ThefirstsitewasingoodconditionotherthandenseandencroachingstandsofEasternRedcedarandotherwoodyplantsalongtheglademargins.Thesecondsitealsohadencroachingwoodyvegetation,butalsohadheavyinfestationsofnon-nativeinvasiveshrubsinandaroundthegladesincludingtheusualsuspectsofBushHoneysuckle,PrivetandMultifloraRose.Thethirdsiteexhibitedthesameconditionsasthesecondbuttoamoreextreme degree and alsohadheavysoilaccumulationsover the
dolomiteoutcrops.Thissummer,theactualprescriptionforhabitatimprovementbeganwithremovingwoodyplants,primarilyEasternRedcedar,withinandalongtheedgesoftheglades.Thisworkwasessentialtoreversetheyearsofnaturalsuccessionintheabsenceofglade-maintainingforceslikegrazingandfire.Overthenextfewyearswewillalsobemanaginginvasivevegetationaroundeachgladetopreventre-infestation.Throughtheseefforts,wehopetoseeincreasednumbersofKentuckyGladecressaswellasotherassociatedcedargladelovingplantspecieslikeFalseAloe(Manfredavirginica),LittleBluestem(Shizachyriumscoparium),WhorledRosinweed(Silphiumtrifoliatum),WildPetunia(Ruelliahumilis)tonameafew.WewouldalsoliketousethelessonslearnedthroughthisprocesstofuelfurthereffortsforhabitatrestorationinMcNeelyParktoincreasethepopulationsofKentuckyGladecress.
Kentucky Gladecress restoration work at McNeely Lake ParkKentucky Gladecress restoration work at McNeely Lake Park
Kentucky Gladecresswinter leavesKentucky Gladecresswinter leaves
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KentuckyOneHealth
Four de Lis5K Race8 a.m.
Saturday,October 18
10 a.m.-2 p.m.PRESENTED BY
QUEST OUTDOORSPRESENTED BY
QUEST OUTDOORS
Mayor’sFall Hike
THETHE
AND
OutdoorAdventure
Mayor’sFall Hike
AND
OutdoorAdventure
KentuckyOneHealth
Four de Lis5K Race8 a.m.
Saturday,October 18
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
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ECHO PROGRAM GROWING BY BOUNDS
Like the Foreston Facebook:
facebook.com/jmfnaturalareas
TheForest’sLouisvilleECHOprogramcontinuestoexpand.WearepleasedtoannouncethattheLouisvilleECHOprogramhasreceivedadditionalfinancialsupportasweseektosustainandgrowtheprogram’senvironmentaleducationandoutdoorrecreationcomponents.In2014,theprogramreceivedanadditional$7,500fromToyotaMotorManufacturingofKentuckyandalso$42,295infundingfromtheU.S.ForestServicetosupporttheprogramthroughthecurrentschoolyear.Inaddition,for2015we’vesuccessfullyleveraged
MayorFischer’srecentbudgetaryenhancementforanout-ofschooltimeyouthprogramasaresultofasuccessful$25,000challengecostsharegrantfromtheNationalParkService.Thatfundingwillbeusedtosupportfieldtripactivitiesforat-riskyouthincludingsometoMammothCaveNationalPark.ItwillalsosupportthesecondannualOutdoorRecreationcomponentatWestLouisvilleAppreciationDaysandtheFourthAnnualUrbanWildernessCanoeAdventuresprograminJulyandOctober,respectively,ofnextyear.
