Kentucky Natural Lands Trust recently protected another key tract of Pine Mountain with the purchase of 53 acres of pristine north face forest adjacent to Blanton Forest State Nature Preserve. The tract provides important fall “swarming habitat” for federally endangered Indiana and Northern long-eared bats, and offers key forest habitat for a wide array of other species that depend upon the forested mountain corridor. This acquisition is part of KNLT’s long term commitment to protecting and stewarding the core old growth tract at Blanton Forest. The new Blanton North Preserve extends along the summit of the mountain and will facilitate extension of the Pine Mountain State Scenic Trail south toward Pineville. The trail is part of the 1,800-mile Great Eastern Trail proposed from New York to Alabama. The acquisition was made possible through a partnership with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.