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This wildlands corridor project will protect forest and farmland between Bernheim, a 14,000-acre research forest and arboretum, and Fort Knox, a 109,000-acre US Army post south of Louisville, Kentucky. Bernheim and Fort Knox both protect significant tracts of contiguous forest, representing some of the largest forest tracts found in the state. Oak hickory forests cover most of the knobs and species such as Indiana bats, golden eagles, Olympia marbles, and Southern leopard frogs are found throughout the region. The corridor protects unique wetlands, headwater streams and riparian forests within the Salt River watershed. Additionally some of the best remaining glades in state are unprotected and located just to the south of Fort Knox. The corridor is important intact habitat that is uncommon in this region of the state.
This project grew out of a partnership between KNLT, Bernheim and the Department of Defense. KNLT agreed to help negotiate and hold conservation easements with landowners within the one-mile border around Fort Knox. Army Compatible Use Buffer (ACUB) funding enabled KNLT to acquire two conservation easements and one tract of land. The U.S. Department of Defense established ACUB in an effort to limit encroachments around army post that would disrupt or diminish training capabilities and to protect key natural habitats and ecological systems. KNLT continues to work with these partners to explore conservation strategies aimed at protecting more of the corridor. Current efforts are focused on expanding Knobs State Forest & Wildlife Management Area, a 1,500-acre protected area within the corridor.
The Bernheim-Fort Knox Wildlands Corridor is protected by a matrix of different types of protected areas. The following is a list of these protected areas.
Bernheim-Fort Knox Wildlands Corridor maps coming soon!
