old-growth forest containing a 300+ yr old chestnut oak, blanton forest state nature preserve, ky -- july, 2006
Many thanks to the USFS Southern Research Station & the Research Work Unit in Huntsville, AL and the Department of Biological Sciences at Eastern Kentucky University for defraying conference expenses!
From June 15th-16th, 2007, an organizational meeting will be held at Pine Mountain State Resort in Pineville, KY to begin a discussion on the old-growth forests in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Meeting partners include the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission, Eastern Native Tree Society and the Cumberland Laboratory of Forest Science at the Department of Biological Sciences of Eastern Kentucky University.
The meeting will begin early on the afternoon of the 15th with a series of speakers. Following a dinner break, we will have two more speakers who will lead us into a discussion of formalizing the Kentucky Old-Growth Forest Society. Talks will continue on Saturday morning. After lunch on Saturday, we will head outside to have a short workshop on measuring tree heights, tree coring and aging.
With nearly 15 hours of daylight available, we will hike into a nearby old-growth forest following the workshop!!
The meeting is free and open to the public.
Please RSVP to Neil Pederson by the 9th of June, 2007 so we can plan accordingly.
a large baldcypress from Three Ponds State Nature Preserve
The initial goals of this meeting will be to:
- learn about the scientific, societal and aesthetic values of old-growth forest
- raise awareness of Kentucky's rich biodiversity and natural resources
- discuss how to fully organize a group concerned about primary forests in the Commonwealth
- have fun!!
The meeting will be held at the beautiful Pine Mountain State Resort Park.
Google map to Pine Mountain State Resort
Many recreational opportunities are available at Pine Mountain State Resort including the Pine Mountain Trail, which when completed will connect the Breaks Interstate Park to the Cumberland Gap National Park and be nearly 120 miles in length.
Speakers & preliminary schedule:
1 pm 12:00 Lunch
Tree measurement &Tree Coring
Led by: Bob Leverett & Neil Pederson
Led by Marc Evans
Accommodations at Pine Mountain State Resort Park.
Google map to nearby hotels.
Google map to hotels in Barbourville, KY - there is a fairly new-looking Best Western in Barbourville
The nearest tent camping site with facilities is Cumberland Gap National Park.
There is primitive camping available at Kentucky Ridge State Forest.
Here is a Google map to nearby camping.
Meals at Pine Mtn. State Resort Park
There is a dining room in the main lodge at the resort. Breakfast starts at 7 am. Lunch starts around 11:30 and dinner starts around 5 pm. There will be summer hrs, however. I was told dinner might run until 9 pm.
Meals are not included with your lodging. I was told dinners run from $5-7 for a burger to less than $25 for a steak meal. Again, these prices may change with the summer hours.
Gas, Snacks, etc.
A good place to top off your gas tank if you are traveling on I-75 is in Corbin, KY. Corbin often has the lowest fuel prices along the I-75 corridor in southern KY. The Pilot at Exit 29 on I-75 often has some of the lowest fuel prices. It also has a Subway, McDonalds, bananas, trail mixes by the Good Earth Peanut Company and more. It is a decent "one size fits all stop" before getting on the Cumberland Parkway into southeast KY.
A mile or less along 25E on your right is a Krogers - a good grocery store to pick up whatever needs you may have [note: I believe this county is dry. If you need something to 'wet your whistle' and are coming from the north, the best and last place to stop before heading into southern KY is Liquor Barn at Exit 87 on I-75 in Richmond. If you are coming from the south, I imagine that Knoxville, TN is the most reliable place to stop.].
There two places for fuel that were cheaper than the Pilot in Corbin on Rt. 25E [as of April 29, 2007], one just before Barbourville, KY and one on the western side of town. Both are located on the south side of Rt. 25E.
There are plenty of places to eat past Corbin [coming from the west]. Most are of the strip-mall, mainstream variety. In Barbourville, however, on the north side of 25E is "Hillbilly's Country Cafe Buffet". I've not eaten there yet. It should have some local flavor. Finally, just before entering Pineville, there is a small diner that I seem to recall as called "Engle's". It is easy to miss. It is a mile or two west of Pineville tucked below a cliff on the edge of the road.
Pineville has a McDonalds and there is an Exxon gas station and Little Caesers Pizza just beyond Pineville at the intersection with Rt. 19.
Traveling through the Cumberland Gap:
For those travelling through Cumberland Gap, Middlesboro is a good place to top off your gas tank [even cheaper gas prices than Corbin sometimes] and fill your stomach. I know less about that area and will try to update this information soon.
Pine Mountain State Resort Park is near Blanton Forest, one of the largest tracts of old-growth in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Below are links about Blanton, Kentucky's Natural Wealth and old-growth forest information.
This meeting is being co-convened by Neil Pederson and Marc Evans. Please direct any questions you have to either of us.