Kentucky

Whether permanently protecting a Civil War battlefield or restoring native forests, the Fund's work in Kentucky ensures that the natural resources and historic places that have shaped the state's history continue to thrive as a part of its future. Together with its partners, the Fund has preserved more than 36,000 acres since 1985.

Sloughs Wildlife Management Area

As part of its innovative Carbon Sequestration Program, the Fund is working with leading corporations to address two of the nation’s top environmental concerns: climate change and habitat protection. In 2005 the Fund partnered with Cinergy Corporation, Environmental Synergy, Inc., the state of Kentucky and Toyota to acquire 300 acres for the Sloughs Wildlife Management Area. When they are replanted, the native trees here will trap carbon dioxide and provide crucial nesting and feeding grounds for migratory waterfowl.

Obion Creek Wildlife Management Area

In 2004 the Fund partnered with Cinergy Corporation, Environmental Synergy, Inc., and the state of Kentucky to acquire and reforest nearly 750 acres for the Obion Creek Wildlife Management Area. Over the life of the forest, the trees will trap hundreds of thousands of tons of carbon dioxide and shelter a variety of animals including the bald eagle, relict darter, and Indiana bat.

Civil War Battlefield Conservation

The Conservation Fund's Civil War Battlefield Campaign works in partnerships to protect our nation's hallowed ground, to provide comprehensive information on the 384 principal Civil War battlefields, designated by the Civil War Sites Advisory Commission, and to honor those that fought and died in the war.

The Campaign has, with its partners, protected historic sites in 73 projects in 13 states, protecting more than 8,100 acres.

Kentucky Battlefield Conservation Projects: Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site

President Abraham Lincoln pointed up the strategic importance of Kentucky: without it, the United States could not hold Missouri and Maryland. On October 8, 1862, the Widow Gibson Farm at Perryville was the site of a massive Confederate assault that hurled the Federal line back one mile. After a day of intense fighting and more than 7,000 casualties, the Confederates withdrew from the state and abandoned their effort to take over Kentucky. Kentucky remained within the Union.

A partnership with the state of Kentucky, the Perryville Battlefield Commission, the Perryville Battlefield Preservation Association, and the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels made possible the protection of 150 acres at the center of the key battlefield in Kentucky. The Perryville Battlefield Preservation Association bought the 150-acre farm with funding from federal ISTEA funds, The Conservation Fund, and its partners. The land was donated to Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site.