Meaghan Petix & Alan Abbott

On April 19th, KNPS partnered with the Red River Gorge Climbers Coalition for a botanical hike of their Miller Fork property in Lee County.  Approximately 20 members of KNPS and RRGCC were guided by Dan and Judie Dourson, the authors of the book Wildflowers and Ferns of the Red River Gorge and Greater Red River Basin. 

The hike began along the banks of Hell Creek, where there was a striking display of spring wildflowers, including Red Trillium (Trillium erectum), Dwarf Crested Iris (Iris cristata), Showy Orchis (Galearis spectabilis), Creeping Foamflower (Tirella stolonifera), and Buffalo Nut (Pyrularia pubera). Canada Lily (Lilium canadense) was emerging. 

The group then followed a trail into an enchanting rock garden before stopping along a sandstone cliff line to discuss its fragile ecosystem, which harbors many specialized plants and animals.  The exposed rock was adorned with vivid crustose lichens. Dan Dourson spotted a Green Salamander (Aneides aeneus) nestled in a rock crevice.  

KNPS is funding the reprinting of Wildflowers and Ferns of the Red River Gorge and Greater Red River Basin.

Meaghan Petix is the Volunteer Coordinator of the Kentucky Native Plant Society. Alan Abbott is Field Trips Coordinator of the Kentucky Native Plant Society.

Jeff Nelson, KNPS President

On Saturday, April 26, KNPS led a group of Kentucky Master Naturalists on a botanically oriented hike around Hematite Lake in the Land Between the Lakes in Trigg County. With beautiful weather and lots of native species in bloom, the 2 mile loop around the lake was a wonderful way to spend the day.

Hematite Lake is a small, man-made lake, created in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The orientation of the lake, which runs roughly east-west, makes for some interesting habitats. The southern side of the lake, with a northern exposure, is a mesic woodland. The western end of the lake, where Long Creek enters the lake, is a wetland. The northern side of the lake, with its southern exposure is a much drier woodland.

The mesic woods had many species of native spring flowers in bloom or just getting ready to bloom. Among the species we saw were dwarf crested iris (Iris cristata), rue anemone (Thalictrum thalictroides), wild comfrey (Andersonglossum virginianum), violet wood sorrel (Oxalis violacea), star chickweed (Stellaria pubera), spring beauty (Claytonia virginica), dwarf larkspur (Delphinium tricorne), woodland phlox (Phlox divaricataI), common greenbriar (Smilax rotundifolia), and prairie trillium (Trillium recurvatum). In a drier ridge area, we saw several patches of cranefly orchid (Tipularia discolor).

As we walked along the southern portion of the trail, we began seeing many zebra swallowtail butterflies (Eurytides marcellus). This was not surprising as this part of the trail had lots of pawpaw trees (Asimina triloba) and pawpaws are the only host plant for this lovely butterfly.

The west end of Hematite Lake is wetland. Few of the wetland species were in flower, but we did see lots of young, swamp chestnut oak (Quercus michauxii), broadleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia), American lotus (Nelumbo lutea), and buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis).

The woods on the northern side of Hematite Lake are much drier than the southern side and have a different mix of natives. Lots of two-flowered Cynthia (Krigia bicolor) were blooming throughout the woods. We also saw an interesting native tick-trefoil, round-leaved trailing tick trefoil (Desmodium rotundifolium).

By Alan Abbott, KNPS Field Trip Coordinator

The Kentucky Native Plant Society led a hike at Bullitt County’s Pine Creek Barrens Nature Preserve on June 8th. The preserve has a mixture of oak-dominated woodlands, shallow limestone glades, and grasslands and is one of the best examples of Kentucky’s limestone/dolomite barrens open to the public.

Member Alan Abbott led a group of around a dozen KNPS members for a three hour stroll along the trails. Plants identified by the group included: two species of Coneflowers (Echinacea simulata and pallida), Vase Vine (Clematis viorna), Climbing Milkvine (Matelea obliqua), Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis), Prickly Ash (Zanthoxylum americanum), Scaly Blazing Star (Zanthoxylum americanum), and Glade Heliotrope (Heliotropium tenellum).

The group also discussed the natural history of the region, tools like iNaturalist and Floraquest, and grassland land management techniques.

By Jeff Nelson, KNPS President

On Saturday, June 15, a group of KNPS members and friends enjoyed a field trip to the Ballard WMA in Ballard county in far western Kentucky. Ballard Wildlife Management Area is 8,000 acres located in the Ohio River bottomlands ecoregion in far western Kentucky. The WMA is mostly wetland with 39% of the acreage in wetland, 28% forest, 27% open land, and 6% open water. Much of the wetland is comprised of rare, cypress-tupelo swamps and sloughs which many Kentuckians have not had the opportunity to experience. The Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves lists cypress-tupelo swamp as a state endangered ecosystem.

Date of trip: June 8, 2024
Start time: 10AM EDT
Location: Pine Creek Barrens Nature Preserve, Bullitt County, KY
Difficulty of hike: Moderate, approximately 2 miles and 2 hours.

Join KNPS member, Alan Abbott, at Pine Creek Barren for a hike. Pale purple coneflower (Echinacea pallida) will likely be near full bloom in this beautiful grassland. We’ll probably see other prairie plants like orange milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) and Senega snakeroot (Polygala senega).

We’ll start at 10 a.m. and hike about two miles. Prepare for some walking off trail by wearing appropriate footwear. You’ll want to practice tick prevention and bring water to prepare for heat and humidity.   

This grassland near Shepherdsville is about 20-30 minutes from Louisville.  Meet in the parking lot by 10 a.m. We’ll be done around noon.

Registration is Required

Please fill out the form below to register for this field trip. This trip will be limited to 15 participants.

Date of trip: Sunday, June 9th, 2024
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM Eastern Time
Location: Hi Lewis Pine Barrens State Nature Preserve, Harlan County (Site closed to the public, directions will be sent to registered participants)
Difficulty of hike: Strenuous

Join KNPS Board members, Heidi Braunreiter (Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves Prescribed Fire Program Coordinator) and Dr. Jennifer Koslow (Eastern Kentucky University Department of Biological Sciences) as we explore Hi Lewis Pine Barrens State Nature Preserve, which is normally closed to the public. During this approximately three hour hike, we will learn about prescribed fire, and other land management practices to sustain and enhance a globally rare natural community, the pitch pine barrens. Hi Lewis Pine Barrens SNP is the best example of this community type on Pine Mountain, and hosts numerous rare and endangered species. The preserve is also home to American chestnuts, which flower in response to the canopy opening created by fires. Following a 2020 prescribed fire and clearing, the trees responded by growing an average of 24 stems per tree, several of which flowered at a height of six to eight feet (it is difficult to predict the exact timing of flowering). The hike will be capped off at 20 participants.

Special Considerations: Hiking conditions are strenuous on Pine Mountain due to steep terrain, please wear shoes with good ankle support. Please bring lots of water, and lunch/snacks. Venomous snakes, ticks, and chiggers occur in the area so please plan accordingly- no open toed shoes, and long pants are recommended. All participants will need to sign the liability waiver below while registering for the hike. We will be hiking along the perimeter of a prescribed burn and management unit that has been recently cleared, although tripping hazards are still present and participants will need to watch their footing. 

Lodging options in the area for participants wanting to stay nearby:

• Benham Schoolhouse Inn, Benham, KY (Approx. 15 min to site)
• Quality Inn, Harlan, KY (Approx. 25 min to site)
• Pine Mountain State Resort Park (Approx. 1 hr. 10 min to site)

Registration is Required

Please fill out the form below to register for this field trip. This trip will be limited to 20 people.