Kentucky Department of Parks State Naturalist's Blog

Dean Henson, naturalist
Extinction is Forever
Compliments of Dean Henson, Naturalist at Pine Mountain SRP

It’s a certainty that somewhere out there at this very moment, the last dozen or so members of an ill-fated species are living on borrowed time. Formerly plenteous in number, the sad remnants of a defenseless life form live out the twilight days of their time on earth before vanishing forever.

What brings living things to this lowly state? How does a species that may have thrived for thousands of years in their present form come to be threatened, endangered and eventually extinct? The short answer is easy; most likely, their habitat changed. Once animals have settled into a niche through a series of gradual adjustments and have become adapted to a habitat they are best suited for, it’s difficult to become rapidly acclimated to anything else. READ MORE

The following Wildflower Weekends are fastly approaching.

April 20, 21, 22 at Carter Caves State Resort Park

April 27, 28, 29 at Natural Bridge State Resort Park

To inquire or for additional information, please vist the PARKS website below.

CARTER CAVES
NATURAL BRIDGE

Hope you enjoy this short segment on my trip to Natural Bridge. It is posted below.

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

TRILLIUMS


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.

Ron Vanover & Coach Joe B. Hall

In honor of the University of Kentucky basketball team, both past and present, I felt compelled to highlight this picture of me and Coach Joe B. Hall, circa 2002. As a kid, I grew up dreaming and admiring the prestige of the University of Kentucky basketball team. I recall pretending to be Jack Givens, Kyle Macey, Rick Robey, and others as my brother and I would practice shooting that last minute shot through an old bicycle rim to seal the victory for the CATS. That's right! It was a bicycle rim that we used for our goal. Growing up in rural Kentucky sometimes did not have its advantages when it came to basketball goals. And, looking back on all of that now, I would not change the way that my brother and I would shoot hoops through a bicycle rim.

As for meeting Coach Joe B. Hall, I was much older than that lad who shot hoops in McCreary County through a bicycle rim. I am so glad I had the pleasure to meet Coach Hall. He was wearing his "Rooster Run" hat that day and was trying to do his best to be in incognito. Where did we meet? We met at Lake Barkley State Resort Park while doing an Eagles' Weekend to showcase the American Bald Eagle. It was a Kentucky State Park event. How did he give himself away? On the way back from our tour, people had begun to wonder if that was Coach Hall. Then, out of nowhere came, "Young man tune that radio in, so we can get an update on that Tennessee/UK game." LOL We all knew then that we were riding in the van with none other than the legendary Coach Joe B. Hall. Oh Boy, did he share some interesting Kentucky Basketball stories with us.

Today, Coach Hall continues to be an avid outdoorsman. This picture above hangs in my office as a reminder of that moment.

Folks, it has been a good ride. Let's hope for a championship victory tonight, so the spotlight can be on this beautiful state that we all call KENTUCKY. Best of luck TEAM!

Springtime at Natural Bridge
This park's quarterly newsletter, "The Natural Bridge Hiker,"(2012 SPRING Edition) includes information about the natural resources, events, facilities of Natural Bridge State Resort Park, and more. In this newsletter (designed by the park naturalists at Natural Bridge), you will find the following topics:

- A Generous Gift
- 2012 Special Events
- Park News
- Upcoming Events
- Sandstone Arches Restaurant - special buffets
- Gift Shop News

Click on the following link to see the park's newsletter: The Natural Bridge Hiker - Spring 2012 Newsletter.pdf

This special park is a must-visit for anyone exploring Kentucky. Get out and enjoy the beautiful spring season as buds are bursting out all over. Why not visit Natural Bridge this month or any of our beautiful Kentucky State Parks. Safe travels!