The Parklands Named Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s Statewide & Bluegrass Region Business Conservation Partner of the Year
On Thursday, December 1, The Parklands of Floyds Fork was named the honored recipient of Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s 2016 Statewide and Bluegrass Region Business Conservation Partner of the Year Award. This award is annually bestowed upon two key conservation partners making strides in line with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s Habitat Improvement Program, helping to manage and enhance wildlife habitat across Kentucky.
“There’s probably no place else in the state doing wildlife work that is able to touch so many people,” said Dan Figert, assistant wildlife division director for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. “What a great partner.”
Of the nearly 4,000 acres that make up The Parklands, about 80 percent has been preserved or enhanced for wildlife habitat, providing millions of visitors an up-close look at habitat improvement on a large scale. Since construction of this donor-supported park began in 2011, horticulture and natural area experts have worked to make several habitat improvements including:
– planting more than 60,000 trees
– removing bush honeysuckle from 192 acres
– restoring more than 7 miles of stream banks
These improvements not only benefit the native plants found within the park, but also help to attract wildlife that, in cases such as the Bobwhite quail, have become near-threatened due to loss of habitat.
Bobwhite quail returned to The Parklands in 2016! Here one sits in the Humana Grand Allee area of Beckley Creek Park. Photo by Pam Spaulding, June 2016
“Being recognized as the State Business Partner of the Year by Kentucky Fish & Wildlife means a great deal to us,” said Parks Director Scott Martin. “Working with KFW allows us to bring world-class wildlife experiences to Louisville’s largest city. The opportunity to see otter, mink, deer, Sandhill cranes, and more within the Metro city limits of a Top 50 US city is unique and one of the things that makes The Parklands so special.”
Since park inception, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife has been a great partner, supporting our efforts to enhance visitor experience through programs such as Fishing in Neighborhoods (FINs). KFW is also an invaluable resource for educating visitors on local and statewide conservation efforts.
“Kentucky Fish and Wildlife has been an incredible partner for The Parklands education programming,” said Parklands Education Coordinator Curtis Carman. “From donating fishing poles to use throughout our summer science camps to helping plan wildlife education activities, they are committed to helping The Parklands bring nature back to neighborhoods. We are so proud to call them partners.”
Norbert Reis fishes with his great, great granddaughter, Mallory Ray at Boulder Pond, which Kentucky Fish and Wildlife seasonally stocks with trout. Photo by Ted Wathen/Quadrant, April 2016.
Thanks to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife for this wonderful award, and congratulations to all of this year’s honorees! To see a full list of award recipients and more information on the Habitat Improvement Program click here.
Awards Photo by Kevin Kelly/Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, December 1, 2016