Mary Breckinridge Nature Preserve

This site represents an important remnant of Appalachian mesophytic forest and protects a newly discovered species of Solidago. The preserve is bisected north and south by the Middle Fork of the Kentucky River.

Location
Leslie County, south of Hyden.

Size
132 acres

Conditions
Due to the sensitivity of the site, the preserve is open to the public only through Conservancy guided hikes.

How to Prepare for Your Visit
For more information on visiting this and other Nature Conservancy sites in Kentucky, see our Preserve Visitation Guidelines.

What to See: Plants
The forest is dominated by:

beech (Fagus grandifolia)
sugar maple (Acer saccharum)
white oak (Quercus alba)
tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera)
basswood (Tilia americana)
buckeye (Aesculus flara)

Why the Conservancy Selected This Site
In addition to the Appalachian mesophytic forest and Solidago, the preserve is also home to one of the largest populations of white wood-mint (Synandra hispidula) in the state. Protection of this unique site was made possible by a generous gift from Kate Ireland in 1992.

What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing
Priorities include protecting the community of Appalachian mesophytic forest and Solidago, especially from off-road vehicle use, and to eliminate invasive species that thrive along the riverbank.