Kentucky is home to a wide range of ecological diversity, from the Appalachian Mountains and the Daniel Boone National Forest in the eastern part of the state, to the well-known lush meadows of horse farming country in the north. Caves, sink holes and waterfalls reside in Mammoth Cave National Park in Central Kentucky and Western Kentucky draws millions of visitors to the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area.

African-Americans and Public Lands Conservation: The Bransford Family and Mammoth Caves, Kentucky
When Kentucky's Mammoth Caves were opened to the public in 1838, the guides were three enslaved Africans: Nick and Mat Bransford and Stephen Bishop. In fact, four generations of the family led the tours, from 1838 to 1939.
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Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge
Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1997, is one of one of our nation's youngest refuges, and the only one wholly within the state of Kentucky. Refuge managers are producing plans for how they will manage- and protect- Clarks River and other national wildlife refuges in coming years. Thanks to the Refuge Improvement and Management Act of 1997, first envisioned by The Wilderness Society, we all can have a say in how our Refuges are managed. Get involved!
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