Dear Friends of Wildlands,
Connectivity is paramount for all of us at Kentucky Natural Lands Trust. Though it isn’t the migrating warblers that have my mind on connectivity this fall; rather it is the comments of a friend who reminded me of the importance of connections in a disjointed world. Just as a wildlands corridor helps to mend fragmented landscapes, connections with other people help to mend a fragmented society.
Connections can lead to community. Community can lead to action. And action can result in change. This is how a conservation movement unfolded in Kentucky.
As KNLT marks 30 years of wildlands conservation, we have been reflecting on the actions of the small group of friends who founded our organization. Recently, I was in conversation with a few of the founders and mentioned how I would have enjoyed hearing their conversation about whether they would be able to protect the old growth forest that had recently been discovered. Founder Judith McCandless quickly responded,
“The question was never if, it was always how.” This became the guiding principle of the conservation movement they launched.
KNLT’s founders worked against the odds to safeguard the most unique forest in the Commonwealth. They were successful, and in partnership with the Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves, established Blanton Forest. Their connections to one another led them to step forward and put in motion a conservation movement that has now protected 63,800 acres of wildlands.
In our 30th year, KNLT is just 200 acres away from protecting a total of 64,000 acres, or 100 square miles. We are actively pursuing several conservation acquisitions that will bring us across that 100 square mile marker. Your year-end donation today will ensure we have the funds to reach this mountainous milestone and will position KNLT to continue to grow our conservation movement. KNLT depends on the support of people like you, that’s why we are also thrilled to share that there’s an opportunity to double the impact of your donation.
Our partners at Atira Conservation have once again committed to match every dollar donated to KNLT before the end of the year with a grant up to $40,000.
I hope you will commit to our mission today and help KNLT meet this exceptional match challenge.
When you donate by Dec. 31, your donation will be doubled by Atira Conservation until we reach $40,000.
Since 1995, KNLT has been conserving unique wild places with a commitment to safeguarding biodiversity, stabilizing the climate and supporting communities. Our efforts focus primarily on Central Appalachia, which is home to extraordinary, globally notable biodiversity that is essential to sustaining all life on the planet. Through collaboration with local communities, landowners and partner conservation organizations, KNLT has been quilting together forested corridors across the region.
We know our wildlands conservation mission can ensure that nature, people and the planet flourish. Your partnership carries our mission forward, supporting local actions that have global significance. Together we are connecting landscapes and people within a disjointed world. Thank you for believing in our mission for 30 years and counting.
With gratitude and peace you find in wild places,
Greg Abernathy
KNLT Executive Director
[email protected]
PS. Join us in reaching our mountainous milestone with a donation today and be on the lookout for our special 30 Years of Wildlands Conservation report coming soon.
About Kentucky Natural Lands Trust
KNLT is a nationally accredited nonprofit working to protect biodiverse and climate resilient landscapes in ways that benefit communities. Through partnerships with individuals, nonprofits, government agencies and businesses, KNLT has protected more than 60,000 acres of wildlands throughout Kentucky and Central Appalachia. Projects like these would not be possible without the support of our donors! Join our movement and give today: DONATE NOW
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Photos: Blanton Forest, Antonio Vizcaino for the book Wildlands Philanthropy