Introduced species often increase rapidly in numbers once they get a foothold in a new area. This occurs partly because they have no natural competitors or predators in their new habitats.  One particularly troublesome species is the imported tree is Ailanthus altissima (tree of heaven). At Clay Hill we are attempting to eliminate this species. You may see trees along some of the trails that are girdled or cut with a chain saw around their trunks. These are tree of heaven. For more information on exotic species, follow the "Kentucky Introduced Species" link to the left.

Although, Kentucky was originally mostly forested land, there were areas dominated by grasslands.  At Clay Hill, we manage our meadow by replacing existing fescue with native grasses, known as warm season grasses.  Replacing fescue fields requires three steps, removing the existing fescue, planting a mix of native species, and managing these fields so that they are not overtaken by trees. Management usually involves prescribed burning of the to remove woody plants and to retard the growth of fescue. You can learn more about warm-season grasses and their management by following some of the links provided in the bar at the left. 

You can help preserve native plants and animals by learning about conservation and by sharing your knowledge with others. Many people enjoy wildflowers and collect them from our forests and fields for planting in their gardens. Some species such as ginseng have been pushed very near extinction by over-collection. If you or your parents like wildflowers, buy plants from an environmentally-conscious nursery rather than collecting them.  Since native plants live for many years, another option is to appreciate them year after year at the forest, and to photograph rather than dig them. To learn more about the decline in native species follow the links at the right. In Kentucky, the Kentucky Nature Preserves Commission is the state agency that monitors species that may be at risk. Private organizations such as the Nature Conservancy and the Kentucky Native Plant Society work toward preservation of important habitats. One local initiative involves the restoration of bank side habitats of the upper Green River. This effort involves many private and government organizations but it is spearheaded by the Green River BioReserve, an effort of the Kentucky Chapter of the Nature Conservancy. Restoration of bank side vegetation will not only bring back many plant and animal species that once were common in the floodplains of the Green but will also contribute to the health of the river and the species that live in it.