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United States

Kentucky

Celebrating 50 years of conservation

A bobcat walks over snow under a tree in the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky.
© Mike Wilkinson

Make a Difference in Kentucky

From the beautiful Appalachian Mountains in the east to the fertile Mississippi River Basin in the west, nature matters to Kentuckians. By supporting our work, you can help ensure a future in which nature and people can thrive.

Donate Today Why Donate to TNC?
A river runs through Kentucky.
Kentucky Impact Report 2024

Looking back on a year of conservation accomplishments in Kentucky, with a focus on continuing impactful work in our state.

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Latest News

A highway in Louisville with trees being planted along the border.

Green Heart Louisville Project Results

Aerial view of a steep moutain ridge that stretches to the horizon. The mountains are covered in green forests with patches of orange from fall foliage beginning to change color.

The Cumberland Forest Project: Conservation at Scale

Sunset over the Cumberland Forest

Largest Conservation Effort in Kentucky History

By Bill Frist

The cover of the Kentucky Fall and Winter 2024 Field Notes.

Fall/Winter 2024 Field Notes

A fire management steward holds a red drip torch which is used in prescribed fires to create controlled burns and prevent wildfire spread.

Kentucky Fire Management

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Our Strategic Priorities

Delivering meaningful solutions for people and nature locally and making significant contributions to TNC’s 2030 goals.

Cover of the TNC Kentucky 2023 impact report showing a painting of fall colors in a forest.
Kentucky 2023 Impact Report Learn about the largest conservation easement in Kentucky history, a groundbreaking wetland monitoring study and more. © TNC

Report

2023 Kentucky Impact Report

We had a big 2023! Learn about the largest conservation easement in Kentucky history, a groundbreaking wetland monitoring study and more!

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Corn grows up towards a clear blue sky.
Kentucky Agriculture The sun peeks out behind a field of corn. © Mike Wilkinson

Content

Conservation Agriculture

Discover more about the ways we work with farmers, right here in Kentucky, to help enact farming practices that are beneficial for people and nature.

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The Kentucky State Capital building on a clear day.
Influencing policy Kentucky State Capitol © Helmut Brunar

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Policy and Government Relations in Kentucky

Learn how we partner with state and local governments for a more sustainable future for people and nature in Kentucky.

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See the Places We Protect in Your Community

From rivers and wetlands to forests and prairies, TNC is protecting some of Kentucky's most beautiful and biodiverse areas. Learn more about our preserves and plan your visit today!

EXPLORE OUR PRESERVES
Autumnal foliage at Robinson Forest in Kentucky.
People enjoy a natural stream in the mountains of Kentucky.
Trees open up to rolling hills in Kentucky.
Sunset over Kentucky is reflected on a waterway below.
An aerial view of western Kentucky shows forest and farmland leading up to the Mississippi River.
Autumnal foliage at Robinson Forest in Kentucky.

Robinson Forest : Fall foliage highlights Robinson Forest in Kentucky. © Thomas Barnes

People enjoy a natural stream in the mountains of Kentucky.

Kentucky General Assembly: The investment by Kentucky’s General Assembly would provide permanent public access to the 55,000-acre Cumberland Forest Project in Kentucky. © Mike Wilkinson

Trees open up to rolling hills in Kentucky.

Kentucky's Big Rivers Corridor-Interior Road: Interior Road at Kentucky's Big River Corridor Project © Mark Godfrey/The Nature Conservancy

Sunset over Kentucky is reflected on a waterway below.

Kentucky Skies: Dawn over the Mississippi River near Hannibal, Missouri. The Nature Conservancy works to protect the Mississippi River and its watershed through the Great Rivers Partnership which is a collaboration between a wide array of partners dedicated to the conservation of the world's great river systems for the benefit of the people and the species that depend upon them for life. © Mark Godfrey/The Nature Conservancy

An aerial view of western Kentucky shows forest and farmland leading up to the Mississippi River.

West Kentucky: An aerial view of western Kentucky shows forest and farmland leading up to the Mississippi River. © Mike Wilkinson

A photo of Boone Bowling, a smiling man with a beard and a bowtie.
Mayor Boone Bowling The mayor of Middlesboro, Kentucky, Boone Bowling is a lifelong Middlesboro resident. © Wilkinson Visual

Interview

Kentucky Stories

Read in-depth Q&As with Kentuckians who care about conservation. We are inspired by these individuals and hope you will be, too!

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A bull elk in velvet.
Elk are making a comeback in the Appalachians, thanks to successful reintroductions. The Cumberland Forest Project protects 253,000 acres of Appalachian forest. © Steven David Johnson

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The Cumberland Forest Project

This 253,000-acre project spans three states and aims to demonstrate that people and nature can thrive together.

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Farmers in a Changing Climate (4:31) Meet five Kentucky farmers facing the challenges of climate change. Their message: We must all be part of the solution.
Doing Business in a Changing Climate (4:33) These business owners are expecting a challenging future due to climate change. They are taking steps now, choosing solar energy and asking other businesses to help create a more sustainable path forward.
From Mine Lands To Forests (5:20) We are working throughout the Appalachian coalfields to reforest former mine lands, benefiting wildlife and climate resiliency.
Cumberland Forest Project (5:00) Learn how a 253,000-acre conservation project invests in communities through the Cumberland Forest Project Community Fund.
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