Greg Abernathy - Kentuckys Natural Heritage: An Illustrated Guide to Biodiversity

KENTUCKYS NATURAL HERITAGE

The Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission (KSNPC) is a small agency with a big task. Our mission is to protect Kentuckys natural heritage by:

1. identifying, acquiring, and managing natural areas that represent the best known occurrences of rare native species, natural communities, and significant natural features in a statewide nature preserve system;

2. working with others to protect biological diversity; and

3. educating Kentuckians as to the value and purpose of nature preserves and biodiversity conservation.

KSNPC was created by legislative enactment in 1976; its initial staff of four has since increased to around 20. A state nature preserve system of 59 preserves and more than 24,000 acres has been established, approximately 60% of the state has been systematically inventoried for natural areas, and more than 11,000 records have been entered into our biological database.

The Natural Heritage Branch of the KSNPC is responsible for finding and monitoring rare species and natural communities. For some groups, like fungi and some invertebrates, there is little or no information about their diversity in Kentucky. As the Natural Heritage Branch continues to expand and to evaluate Kentuckys biodiversity, we hope to add new information about these lesser-known organisms and advance the story of Kentuckys natural heritage.

We collect biological information during field surveys, from literature reviews, and by visiting existing collections, both those that are privately held and those found in museums. Other biologists throughout the state contribute their data as well. KSNPC is also the states official cooperator with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in working on the recovery of federally listed and candidate plant species in Kentucky.

After information on the locations and conditions of rare species and natural communities is compiled, its accuracy is verified, and then it is recorded in the states natural heritage database. KSNPCs database contains the most complete and accurate set of information on rare species and natural communities in Kentucky. The database is maintained in partnership with Nature-Serve, an international, nonprofit conservation organization that specializes in management of biological data. KSNPC has been a partner with NatureServe and its predecessor organization, which was operated under the auspices of the Nature Conservancy, since 1977. Our natural heritage data are used for many purposes, such as environmental review and planning of private and government activity, development of species and habitat conservation strategies, and scientific research. The database contains a geographic information system component that enables users to analyze and display biological data.

The goal of the Nature Preserves and Natural Areas Branch at KSNPC is to provide a perpetual safe harbor for rare species and the natural communities in which they live. The Nature Preserves Branch is engaged in protecting and restoring some of the most biologically diverse and significant natural areas in Kentucky. Conserving at-risk species and natural communities while giving the public access for observation and enjoyment is a daunting challenge and a never-ending task. One of the commissions long-term goals is to protect a representative of each of the major natural communities found in Kentucky within the nature preserve system.

KSNPC also administers a Natural Areas Registry program to offer education and guidance to property owners with lands that sustain significant natural elements. This voluntary, nonbinding program encourages conservation by both private and public landowners to protect sites of biological value. About 93% of Kentuckys landscape is under private ownership, making it critical to work with private landowners for biodiversity conservation.

KSNPC could not do its vital work alone, and we are fortunate to have many partners among other state agencies, federal agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and individual citizens.

DONALD S. DOTT JR., Director,

Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission