Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, The Nature Conservancy and UK to Dedicate New Griffith Woods WMA
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources will join with the University of Kentucky and The Nature Conservancy to dedicate nearly 750 acres in Harrison County as the Griffith Woods Wildlife Management Area (WMA). A dedication ceremony will be held at the WMA entrance at 11 a.m. May 31.
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife completed acquisition of the unique area near Cynthiana in December 2011.The department purchased approximately 350 acres of the property from The Nature Conservancy. The University of Kentucky contributed another 391 acres to the project that it had acquired earlier through the Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund.
“This is such a unique and outstanding area,” said Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Dr. Jon Gassett. “Griffith Woods includes one of the last remnants of bluegrass savanna woodland in this part of the state, and preserving and restoring this for our children and their grandchildren is a treasure beyond words.”
The department purchased the conservancy’s property using Federal Program Income monies that are restricted for land acquisition use. The Nature Conservancy also donated three adjoining land parcels totaling more than 9 acres to ensure that the large land block, already bisected by U.S. 62, would remain intact. No Fish and Game Fund money from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses was used to acquire this property.
Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund Board Chairman Dr. Bill Martin recognized the urgency in preserving and restoring this unique habitat many years ago and championed the University of Kentucky’s acquisition of the property at that time for research and management. The university will continue to conduct research on the area in cooperation with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife.
The department’s area management plan will focus on the preservation and restoration of its unique landscape huge oaks and other hardwoods that dot rolling grasslands while providing recreational opportunity for hunters, wildlife watchers, hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts.
Following the dedication ceremony, the WMA will open to the public.
Directions: From Lexington, take Russell Cave Road (KY 353) toward Cynthiana. Turn right onto US 62.The Griffith Woods dedication ceremony will take place at the WMA entrance, located on the left after about one-quarter mile. From Louisville take I-64 east to I-75 north at Lexington. From I-75, take Exit 126 onto U.S. 62 east and continue toward Cynthiana. The Griffith Woods dedication ceremony will be at the entrance on the left in about 12 miles.
GPS coordinates: 38.3345, -84.3547
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, an agency of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, is responsible for the conservation of fish and wildlife resources and for boating projects in the state. A commissioner appointed by the Fish and Wildlife Commission heads the department. The commission, which is responsible for department policy, is a nine member bipartisan body appointed by the governor from a list of candidates voted upon by sportsmen's organizations in each of nine districts.
