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The Nature Conservancy of Kentucky

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The Nature Conservancy of Kentucky

Environmental Conservation Organization We currently manage over 30 preserves and over 100 conservation easements.

The Nature Conservancy of Kentucky was founded in 1975 by a group of Kentuckians concerned with the rapidly disappearing natural lands and waters of our state. Since then, The Nature Conservancy of Kentucky has grown to include more than 5,000 members, employs a professional staff of 16 and has protected more than 50,000 acres of ecologically important lands in Kentucky. In addition, our cooperative partnerships with private landowners promote the protection of over 100,000 additional acres.

06/12/2026

Tennessee and Kentucky's 2026 spring fire season burned hot!🔥 Our teams and partners are making meaningful progress for good fire across the region.
🌱 182 acres burned on TNC lands at Chestnut Mountain and Shady Valley.
🌱 A record 30,000 acres burned at Daniel Boone National Forest.
🌱 6,228 acres through assists with the South Zone CNF, North Zone CNF, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
🌱Total: 6,410 acres of good fire on the ground.

Despite the drought that limited burn windows, we are proud of our results. Good fire takes partnership, patience, and the right conditions — and this season shows what’s possible when all three align.

📸 Gabby Lynch

06/08/2026

Traversing 31 states, the Mississippi River and its tributaries nourish crops, transport goods, provide recreation and sustain robust fisheries. The river system brings food, fresh water, jobs and economic security to millions of Americans.
That’s why The Nature Conservancy takes a system wide approach to restoring the Mississippi River. Learn more https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/priority-landscapes/mississippi-river-basin/?vu=mississippiriverbasin&en_txn1=s_fbo.reg_sou.x.x

📸 Mark Godfrey/TNC

06/05/2026

Even in a landlocked state like Kentucky, we can help our oceans. Do your part for a cleaner world and healthier oceans.

06/04/2026

Planning your next road trip? 🚗

TNC Senior Writer Daniel White guides you across the South, sharing unforgettable stopovers and scenic side trips that showcase the region’s rich wildlife and birdwatching opportunities. 🏞️

Plan your next adventure: https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/south-carolina/stories-in-south-carolina/southern-roadtrips-to-see-wildlife/

Photo Credit: Daniel White/TNC

05/28/2026

The removal of the dam on the Green River marked a major milestone for both people and nature in Edmonson County. By eliminating a serious bank erosion threat to a nearby drinking water source, the project helped protect local communities while restoring the river’s natural flow. Following the removal, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service crew reshaped and stabilized the riverbank to support long-term health and resilience.

For the first time since 1904, the Green River now flows freely, removing barriers for fish, wildlife, and recreational paddlers. This reconnection allows species to move up and down the river to spawn and feed, restoring natural processes that have been in place for millennia. The result is a healthier, more balanced ecosystem, one that benefits both biodiversity and the people who depend on it.

Learn more about this project for people and nature: https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/kentucky/stories-in-kentucky/green-river-locks-and-dams/

05/27/2026

Kentucky’s Green River is teeming with a remarkable diversity of fish species, making it a favorite destination for anglers and nature lovers alike. From prized catches like musky, smallmouth bass, crappie, bluegill, and even walleye, the river offers exciting opportunities on the water—but these are just a few of the many species that call it home.

Beneath the surface lies a rich and complex ecosystem supporting dozens of native fish, each playing an important role in the health of the river.

Explore the incredible variety of life in the Green River and learn more about the species that make this waterway so special.
https://www.inaturalist.org/guides/4538

Photo 1: Credit: Sally Harold/TNC - American eel.
Phtoto 2: Credit: Robert B. Clontz/TNC - American shad.
Photo 3: Credit: Mark Godfrey/TNC - Bass.

05/26/2026

Humans have built dams for thousands of years to manage water, reduce floods, and power our communities. But as the climate shifts and storms intensify, many aging dams are becoming safety risks instead of assets.🤨 Warming temperatures are also shifting precipitation from snow to rain, yielding more winter runoff earlier in the season when water is a hazard, and a longer dry season when water is a needed resource. ☀️

When dams can’t handle today’s extreme weather—and cost more to fix than to remove—taking them out can actually protect communities. Dam removal restores natural river flow, improves water quality, reduces flood risk, and helps people and wildlife adapt to a changing climate.
https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/kentucky/stories-in-kentucky/green-river-locks-and-dams/?en_txn1=s_fbo.reg_sou.x.x

📸 Mike Wilkinson

05/23/2026

Meet the Paddlefish: The Green River’s prehistoric migrator
The Green River is full of surprises—but few are cooler than the paddlefish, a prehistoric species that’s been cruising North America’s rivers for more than 100 million years.

Every spring, these gentle giants migrate upstream through the Green River, following rising flows to reach their spawning grounds. With their long, paddle‑shaped snouts (used to sense tiny plankton in the water) and smooth, shark‑like bodies, they look like something straight out of the fossil record—because they are.

Thanks to healthy flows, connected habitat, and ongoing conservation work, the Green River remains one of the best places on Earth to witness this ancient migration in action.

🦴 A living fossil.
🌊 A long‑distance traveler.
💚 A reminder of why protecting rivers like the Green River matters. Get more conservation news right to your inbox! Subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter: https://preserve.nature.org/page/82226/data/1?en_txn1=s_p.ch_ky.eg.x.Kentucky.NN

📸 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

05/21/2026

Since launching in Kentucky in 2024, the Family Forest Carbon program has enrolled more than 115 landowners, representing over 16,000 acres of forested land.

By taking a regional approach and sharing knowledge across borders, we’re continually improving how we support both landowners and forests. The program is also creating new economic opportunities across the state, including in Appalachian communities where diversification is more important than ever.

Hear from a few recent enrollees in the program and how Family Forest Carbon is helping their generational lands: https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/kentucky/stories-in-kentucky/family-forest-carbon-program/

Photo Credit: Cameron Davidson

Address

114 Woodland Avenue
Lexington, KY
40502

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+18592599655

Website

https://www.nature.org/kentucky

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