Source: The News-Enterprise
Date: October 18, 2018
Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest announced a 494-acre expansion Thursday with acquisition of adjacent property in Bullitt County.
The land near Cedar Grove bring total acreage that Bernheim protects to 16,137. It is the third land acquisition in as many years for the largest privately held forest dedicated to conservation in the eastern United States.
“Amidst the rapid pace of development, providing natural corridors where plant and wildlife habitat are protected is critical,” said Dr. Mark Wourms, Bernheim’s executive director. “We are grateful to the partnerships that helped make this purchase possible.”
The newly acquired land, which features 454 acres of forest, a 40-acre open field and upper sections of Cedar Creek that flows into the Salt River, provides habitat for rare and threatened plants and animals, Wourms said, including the Indiana and Northern long-eared bats.
Money for the $1.4 million project came from the Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund, administered by the Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves and the Imperiled Bat Conservation Fund, administered by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Kentucky Natural Lands Trust.