By Julie McDonald
Two years ago, Audubon State Park added 15.8 acres to the park. Most of the land
acquisition funds came from the Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund which is
made up of proceeds from the sale of nature license plates. Additional funds from the
Friends of Audubon and the Kentucky Nature Preserve Commission helped protect the
park from additional development.
Although the property underwent plant and animal species inventories, two additional
items still needed to be completed. The first item was the construction of a trail that
would allow the public access to the acreage.
After the construction of a bridge, the
public will have access to the Deer Ridge Trail which connects the
Museum Trail to the back end of the Kentucky Coffee Tree Trail. The
name came from the fact that deer also use the ridge top that the trail is
built on as a ‘highway’ through the property.
The second item is the removal of invasive species. The property has non-native plants that
aggressively push out natives. Some of these include Johnson grass, tree-of-heaven, princess tree, and others that can be removed with proper tools and chemicals.
The trail is a nice short connection that allows the public to utilize more of the park’s acreage for
recreation and education. This land purchase would not be possible without funds from the purchase of nature plates. So, the next time you renew your plates, ask for one of the brand new nature plate designs (a dragonfly, hummingbird, and the Cumberland Falls.)
Two years ago, Audubon State Park added 15.8 acres to the park. Most of the land
acquisition funds came from the Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund which is
made up of proceeds from the sale of nature license plates. Additional funds from the
Friends of Audubon and the Kentucky Nature Preserve Commission helped protect the
park from additional development.
Although the property underwent plant and animal species inventories, two additional
items still needed to be completed. The first item was the construction of a trail that
would allow the public access to the acreage.
After the construction of a bridge, the
public will have access to the Deer Ridge Trail which connects the
Museum Trail to the back end of the Kentucky Coffee Tree Trail. The
name came from the fact that deer also use the ridge top that the trail is
built on as a ‘highway’ through the property.
The second item is the removal of invasive species. The property has non-native plants that
aggressively push out natives. Some of these include Johnson grass, tree-of-heaven, princess tree, and others that can be removed with proper tools and chemicals.
The trail is a nice short connection that allows the public to utilize more of the park’s acreage for
recreation and education. This land purchase would not be possible without funds from the purchase of nature plates. So, the next time you renew your plates, ask for one of the brand new nature plate designs (a dragonfly, hummingbird, and the Cumberland Falls.)
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