KNLT Establishes the Henry Bowlin Preserve on Pine Mountain

KNLT recently received a very generous donation of family land from Robert and (the late) Dolores Mackey of Corbin. The land, known as the Henry Bowlin Preserve, is located just outside of Frakes on the Bell County and Whitley County line. It was named in memory of Mrs. Mackey’s grandfather, a figure who was well known in the area and for whom the ridgeline gap on this property is also named.

The land adds to the matrix of protected areas within the 125-mile Pine Mountain Wildlands Corridor. The preserve could become a future trailhead for a connector trail linking to Pine Mountain State Resort Park and the Great Eastern Trail, a 1,800-mile hiking path planned from Alabama to New York that cross through Kentucky on Pine Mountain.

KNLT staff, board and advisors are extremely grateful to the Mackey family for this very generous gift. Mrs. Makey passed away last year with the knowledge that her family land would be preserved for future generations. We hope that the Mackey’s example will inspire others who care about the future of wildlands and important natural areas across the Commonwealth.