Warbler Ridge Preserve | Photo: Tara Littlefield, Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves

Kentucky Natural Lands Trust’s latest addition brings Warbler Ridge Preserve to more than 3,500 acres

BEREA, Kentucky (30 January 2024 | Kentucky Natural Lands Trust) – Kentucky Natural Lands Trust (KNLT) protected more wildlands on Pine Mountain in late December through a land purchase in Harlan County. The 203-acre Cam & Otta Cornett Farm Addition expands the Warbler Ridge Preserve to 3,527 acres, protecting forested habitat at the headwaters of the Cumberland River. 

“I’m grateful to families that partner with KNLT in our work. It was a pleasure to work with Cam and Otta’s grandson Alonzo Cornett, their great-granddaughter Alonda Lane and her husband Bryan Lane on this project. It is meaningful to both safeguard more of Pine Mountain and weave the Cornett family legacy into Warbler Ridge.” ~ Greg Abernathy, KNLT Executive Director.

The newly acquired wildlands protect globally significant forests that are known habitat for rare plants and animals, as well as headwater streams of the Cumberland River, which has extraordinary biodiversity and is part of the most notable temperate freshwater ecosystem on Earth. KNLT’s Warbler Ridge Preserve connects several state lands to form more than 9,000 acres of contiguous wildlands. The preserve is the planned route of the unfolding Great Eastern Trail, a contemporary to the Appalachian Trail, making it an important addition to the emerging outdoor economy of Eastern Kentucky and Central Appalachia.

For nearly 30 years, KNLT has safeguarded wildlands along Pine Mountain, a biodiverse and climate resilient landscape in Central Appalachia. The mountain is home to thousands of species of plants and animals, many of them rare or endangered. Throughout its history, KNLT has worked with landowners and local communities to conserve this wildlands corridor. We’re grateful for the support of individual donors, foundations, and partners. We thank the Imperiled Bat Conservation Fund (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Kentucky Field Office) and Atira Conservation for making this project possible.

Warbler Ridge Preserve | Photo: Bill Lancaster