Barren River Lake Naturalist and Recreation Blog

KENTUCKY UNBRIDLED SPRING PROGRAM COMPLIMENTS OF THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF TRAVEL AND TOURISM

SPRING BEAUTY


Buds are bursting out all over. Spring is here and Kentucky is radiating with many species of wildflowers. Find your favorite outdoor location to enjoy everything Kentucky has to offer. Please click this LINK to review some of the wildflower reports from naturalists across the Commonwealth.

For additional information about Kentucky State Parks and some of the upcoming Spring and Wildflower Events, please view this SITE.

Squawroot When you think of spring wildflowers you usually picture bright green leaves supporting pretty, colorful petals. What you don’t imagine is a little wildflower called squawroot. While squawroot is not a particularly "pretty" plant, it is quite interesting. Squawroot is a parisitic plant that makes it's living off the roots of oak trees, therefore it does not need to produce energy using chlorophyll and sunlight. It has no green color and can live in complete shade. It resembles a corncob or pine cone sticking up out of the ground, and therefore is often ignored by the hiker. This little plant grows in small clusters and can be found throughout hardwood forests of eastern North America. So next time your hiking and come across this strange looking little wildflower, take a minute to stop and observe this often overlooked plant.

The birds are singing, the bees are buzzing, and everything is blooming! Due to the unusually warm winter and the even more surprising high spring temperatures, spring is here early. Now is the time to get outside and explore all the beauty this season has to offer. Trees are in full bloom and wildflowers are already covering the forest floor. Hike along our Connell Trail to discover colorful birds flying and blooms blossoming everywhere!

If your familiy loves spending time in nature or your a family who wants to learn about nature and things to do outside, then become part of the F.I.N. Club! This is a partnersip between Barren River Lake State Resort Park and Mary Wood Weldon Public Library. Each month we offer a one hour session for families to participate in where they learn about an outdoor activity. There is no cost to join and all activities are FREE! For more information contact Jamie Avery at 270-646-2151 or jamie.avery@ky.gov

Learn more in this latest news release on White Nose Syndrome. NOTE: Article compliments of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Read More