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 sherry.wright@louisvilleky.gov.

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.