05 May 2023
By LBL_Admin
2023 Heritage Geocache Challenge: Communities Between the Rivers

2023 Heritage Geocache Challenge: Communities Between the Rivers

Customer Service, Geocaching, Heritage, Recreation, , , , ,
The 2023 Heritage Geocache Challenge begins Sunday, May 7  at Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area! The 2023 Communities Between the Rivers Heritage Challenge Coin The annual Heritage Geocache Challenge is put on by the Heritage Program at Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area as part of our outreach to the public, to get people to explore their forest and their history, and to share the unique heritage of the families from Between the Rivers. About the GeocachesThis is the eighth year of the Heritage Geocache Challenge at the Land Between the Lakes and, like in previous years,…
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09 Nov 2018
By LBL_Admin
Soldiers From Fort Campbell Assist in Clean-up at Cleo Griffin House

Soldiers From Fort Campbell Assist in Clean-up at Cleo Griffin House

Heritage, History, Volunteer, , , , , , , , ,
Soldiers from Alpha Company, 39th Brigade Engineer Battalion came out to the Land Between the Lakes for a very special mission. They helped the Heritage program begin a project to safeguard and preserve the house formerly occupied by Cleo Sanford Griffin. Griffin was a veteran of World War II and, according to locals, may have suffered from PTSD. He was in the Battle of Monte Cassino which began in January 1944 and didn’t end until May of that year. Allied casualties were in excess of 55,000. So it would be understandable if Griffin did, indeed, suffer PTSD as a result.…
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03 Apr 2018
By LBL_Admin
Dusk till Dawn

Dusk till Dawn

Elk & Bison Prairie, Environmental Education, Heritage, History, Homeplace, Nature Station, Recreation, Sustainable Recreation, Trails, Uncategorized, Wildlife, , , , , , ,
I looked east and spotted the orange glow piercing through the oaks still leafless from the long winter nights. I turned right from the trailhead and regained my footing as I reached a muddy path. I slipped and contorted in many ways as I tried to maintain my footing. My mind kept racing, “warm thoughts, warm thoughts,” but it did nothing to stop my now uncontrollable shivering. Only a madman could be up in these conditions for my specific agenda. I stumbled in the half-morn light crashing heavily on a twig. The crack pierced the cold morning air and a…
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07 Aug 2017
By LBL_Admin
Another Step Toward Sustainable Recreation

Another Step Toward Sustainable Recreation

Community, Customer Service, safety, Sustainable Recreation, , , , , , ,
Dear Friends, Over the course of many years and with public involvement, we have temporarily closed a few facilities to help make Land Between the Lakes more financially sustainable. These temporary closures were part of the 2012 Budget Reduction meetings, where you helped the Forest Service develop a plan to deal with reductions in the budget. This is one more step toward sustainable recreation. So what does this mean? In several locations, structures and unused wells still exist. This adds $730,000 to our deferred maintenance backlog. Removal of the remaining structures will begin soon and will help to provide safer…
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25 Jul 2017
By LBL_Admin
Expected crowds delay opening of Elk and Bison Prairie on eclipse day

Expected crowds delay opening of Elk and Bison Prairie on eclipse day

Community, Customer Service, Elk & Bison Prairie, Solar Eclipse, , , , , , ,
What we said... Yes, we said the Elk & Bison Prairie would be open for viewing on eclipse day, Monday, August 21, 2017. A year ago, this sounded like a good idea. Due to the increased estimation of how many people will be here, we had to rethink this. Public safety is the key.... The Elk & Bison Prairie will open at 3pm on eclipse day. Here’s why… No restrooms or a public source of water. Designed only as a drive-thru, the prairie is not appropriate for all-day visitors, who must stay within ten feet of their vehicles at all…
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21 Jul 2017
By LBL_Admin
Total Solar Eclipse: What to expect on August 21, 2017?

Total Solar Eclipse: What to expect on August 21, 2017?

Brandon Spring Group Center, Camping, Community, Customer Service, Environmental Education, Homeplace, Nature Station, Planetarium, Recreation, Solar Eclipse, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Where will you be August 21, 2017? The Great American Eclipse will pass through Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area on August 21, 2017. A total solar eclipse is a rare phenomenon and hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected in Western Kentucky, as nearby Hopkinsville is the closest city to the point of greatest totality. What to expect? We are anticipating over 50,000 visitors at Land Between the Lakes. All campsites which can be reserved have been booked and most local lodging is full. Basic and self-service camping are still available. Please get your permits online before you…
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20 Jul 2017
By LBL_Admin
Backcountry Camping has a new name at Land Between the Lakes

Backcountry Camping has a new name at Land Between the Lakes

Camping, Community, Customer Service, Recreation, , , , , , , ,
Dear Campers, You may have noticed a recent name change of your favorite Backcountry Campground on our maps. Here is the reason… In 2000 when the US Forest Service assumed management of Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, the decision was made to keep the backcountry permit system for the smaller campgrounds created by the Tennessee Valley Authority. These campgrounds are small and have less amenities than the large, developed campgrounds such as Hillman Ferry, Piney and Wranglers. Since Land Between the Lakes is now part of the National Forest System, the camping areas referred to as “backcountry areas”…
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29 Jun 2017
By LBL_Admin
Treatment of Imported Fire Ants Environmental Assessment

Treatment of Imported Fire Ants Environmental Assessment

Community, Fire Ant Environmental Assessment, , , , , ,
What is this Environmental Assessment about? The U.S. Forest Service at Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area is asking for public input on an Environmental Assessment for the Treatment of Imported Fire Ants. The proposed project, Treatment of Imported Fire Ants on Land Between the Lakes, is available at http://data.ecosystem-management.org/nepaweb/nepa_project_exp.php?project=45540. The environmental assessment and supporting documentation is also available for review at the Land Between the Lakes administration office. Comments must be received by July 31, 2017. See "How to Comment" below. Project Summary Imported fire ants are an invasive species that occur throughout much of the southeastern United States. In…
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23 Jun 2017
By LBL_Admin
Local Students’ Project Helps Osprey Conservation

Local Students’ Project Helps Osprey Conservation

Birding, Community, Environmental Education, Field Guide, Nature Station, Wildlife, , , , , , , ,
Submitted by John Pollpeter, Lead Naturalist at Woodlands Nature Station During the 2016-2017 school year, Trigg County Middle School participated in a teaching method called “Project-based Learning.”  Students are given a project or problem, and then incorporate writing, math, science, art, and computer skills attempt to develop a solution. Ms. Brannigan Ethridge’s 8th grade class was given a list of species that need conservation help. Two students, Zach Meador and Hannah Fletcher, were able to take the project even further than they could imagine. The two students, working with the US Forest Service, developed a plan to put up an…
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16 Mar 2017
By LBL_Admin
Two Land Between the Lakes’ Naturalists Receive Top Awards

Two Land Between the Lakes’ Naturalists Receive Top Awards

Community, Environmental Education, Nature Station, , , , , ,
By John Pollpeter, Woodlands Nature Station Last week in Shepherdsville, KY, Aviva Yasgur, and Tim Johnson received top honors at the National Association for Interpretation awards dinner.  The National Association for Interpretation (NAI) is the main professional society for interpretive rangers, naturalists, cultural historians, and museum and science educators. Aviva Yasgur received the Outstanding Interpreter of 2017. Aviva has been working as a naturalist and Public Programs Coordinator for the Friends of Land Between the Lakes for seventeen years. Tim Johnson was awarded the Outstanding New Interpreter of 2017 for the Southeast Region. Tim has worked as a frontline naturalist…
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