31 Oct 2016
By LBL_Admin
Open lands-Helping Wildlife Survive

Open lands-Helping Wildlife Survive

Field Guide, Fire, Hunting, Natural Resource Management, Plants, Recreation, Restoration, Stewardship, Wildlife, , , , , , , , , ,
Dear friends, As part of our Land and Resource Management Plan, we designated approximately 10,600 acres as open lands. This acreage specifically supports insects, game animals, grassland type birds, and mammals through open lands management. Managing open lands involves keeping desired vegetation in an early stage of growth. We do this by cultivating and planting our wildlife plantings and cropland areas. We maintain grassland type habitat primarily by mowing, disking, prescribed fire and herbicide applications. These open land types provide food and shelter for hundreds of species at Land Between the Lakes. Since the turn of the 21st Century, natural…
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29 Jul 2016
By LBL_Admin
Farewell Bobcat

Farewell Bobcat

Customer Service, Environmental Education, Nature Station, Wildlife, , , , , , , ,
The Woodlands Nature Station bid farewell to our bobcat today. The female cat passed away earlier from kidney failure. Such illness is common in older bobcats. Rescued near Memphis, Tennessee, our bobcat arrived as a kitten. She came to Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area in 1995. In her 22 years living here, she contributed to the learning and knowledge of almost one million visitors. Bobcats play a vital role in our environment. Weakened due to habitat loss, bobcat populations rebounded thanks to effective conservation practices. We estimate that over 200 bobcats reside on the inland peninsula today. The…
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09 Jun 2016
By LBL_Admin
Partners for Elk

Partners for Elk

Community, Elk & Bison Prairie, Stewardship, Wildlife, , , , ,
Submitted by Josh Frye, Public Affairs Specialist I was honored to sit in with our wildlife and range staff as they hosted a delegation from West Virginia’s Division of Natural Resources this week.  The feeling of history in the making was tangible as we discussed details of their State’s first elk re-introduction. As in the past, Land Between the Lakes’ elk herd may provide the seed stock needed to establish a free ranging – wild – population.  Some of our 62 elk, and their offspring, just might play this vital role for the citizens of West Virginia.  Governor Earl Ray…
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06 Apr 2016
By LBL_Admin
Land Between The Lakes Deer Population Study

Land Between The Lakes Deer Population Study

Hunting, Stewardship, Wildlife, , , , , ,
Information received from hunters and other interest groups potentially indicates a change in the deer population density at Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area.  We are conducting an analysis of historic population trends and other data. A vital and sustainable deer population is important to our habitat and native species restoration and management efforts.  We will provide more information as it becomes available.
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30 Mar 2016
By LBL_Admin
Buffalo Trail Prescribed Fire

Buffalo Trail Prescribed Fire

Environmental Education, Fire, Hunting, Natural Resource Management, Recreation, Restoration, Stewardship, Wildlife, , , , , , , , ,
After a four-month delay, conditions were just right on Monday, March 28 for us to begin our prescribed burn.  A moderate East to West wind gently blew into the forest and across the open lands.  Humidity, temperature, and atmospheric conditions in the target area were optimal.  The Bison Trail was our burn block for the day. Dozens of Forest Service employees, students, and volunteers from multiple organizations and agencies gathered at Land Between the Lakes’ well-equipped fire cache for a briefing.  Leadership, old and new, laid out the plan.  If everything went well, we would set alight almost 2,530 acres of the burn…
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15 Mar 2016
By LBL_Admin
Antler Shed Season

Antler Shed Season

Elk & Bison Prairie, Environmental Education, Field Guide, Volunteer, Wildlife, , , , , , ,
Submitted by Patricia Skibko, Wildlife Apprentice If you want to see elk with their antlers, come now to the Elk & Bison Prairie. Each year bull elk lose their antlers in the early spring. Antlers typically fall off independently of each other. Usually both shed within about one week. They take a lot of punishment through fights with other bulls during the mating season. When elk lose their antlers, new ones start growing almost immediately. Throughout a bull’s lifetime each new set of antlers grown are larger than the last. Elaborate antlers are an indicator that an elk bull is…
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02 Feb 2016
By LBL_Admin
Happy Groundhog Day

Happy Groundhog Day

Environmental Education, Field Guide, Nature Station, Wildlife, , , , , ,
"Now, Let's See what is going on in Your Neck of the Woods" By John Pollpeter, Lead Naturalist at Woodlands Nature Station Patches of emerald-green blades from spring grasses outline a dusting of white winter snow, as a fuzzy sniffing nose emerges from the security and warmth of his underground burrow. Two bright brown eyes and a set of inquisitive whiskers search the February breeze for potential marauding predators and attractive mates. He is looking for female groundhogs. Each February 2nd, Americans celebrate the potential for spring with a giant rodent, the groundhog. A member of the squirrel family, the…
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16 Dec 2015
By LBL_Admin
How many acres of grasslands, barrens, savannas, and woodlands?

How many acres of grasslands, barrens, savannas, and woodlands?

Elk & Bison Prairie, Natural Resource Management, Questions from the Public, Restoration, Stewardship, Wildlife, , , , , , ,
Over time, how many acres of LBL will be converted to the Pre-European landscape plan of grasslands, barrens, savannas and woodlands? Our Land and Resource Management Plan reserves 8,630 acres for oak-grasslands demonstration areas.  The 2004 Land and Resource Management Plan for Land Between The Lakes refers to the Pre-European landscape specifically for the Oak Grasslands Restoration Demonstration Areas, the Elk &Bison Praire-700 acres, and the south Bison Range-180 acres. Land Between The Lakes is divided into multiple land uses, including administrative areas, recreation and environmental areas, and natural resource areas.  These acres are designated to be managed for a…
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15 Dec 2015
By LBL_Admin
Cost for managing an oak-grassland habitat

Cost for managing an oak-grassland habitat

Elk & Bison Prairie, Funding, Natural Resource Management, Questions from the Public, Restoration, Wildlife, ,
What is the anticipated costs and what is currently budgeted for maintenance of the existing '8600' acres of savanna/grass lands? Accounting data for the costs of this project (8,600)? We project out our costs for programs such as timber and fire then submit a request for funding annually. This is done as one budget item. We do not break it down into such detail. As land managers we take into account our areas that need treatments and plan for those areas several years in advance. You can find more information about where we spend our funds in one of our…
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23 Nov 2015
By LBL_Admin
Part Of The Pack–My First Encounter with Red Wolves

Part Of The Pack–My First Encounter with Red Wolves

Community, Customer Service, Environmental Education, Field Guide, Nature Station, Wildlife, , , , , , ,
Part Of The Pack--My First Encounter with Red Wolves By Anita Spaulding, Naturalist Apprentice for Woodlands Nature Station I am an apprentice at Land Between The Lakes who recently graduated from Murray State University with a degree in Recreation and Leisure Services. Working at the Woodlands Nature Station is my first full-time position post-college. I came to this job with a very strong interest in animals and a little experience volunteering at several different animal shelters and organizations. Red Wolves fascinate me and I get to work with them--What could be better? Red Wolves are incredible creatures to behold. Agile…
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