LBL reflects on progressive 2024

Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area has seen its fair share of evolution over the years – 2024 was no different. Land Between the Lakes can be proud of the year through expansion of land management projects, fully embracing its history and dedicated employees and partnerships.

“We are thrilled with the progress at Land Between the Lakes in 2024,” said area supervisor, Jim McCoy. “I believe we have taken great strides in improving forest health, enhancing recreation opportunities and honoring local heritage. Our employees and partners have worked really hard, and we have numerous projects to be proud of.”

Some of those projects and accomplishments include:

• 1. Welcoming more than 1.9 million visitors
• 2. Spending $2.6 million in road maintenance, including the paving of Gatlin Point and numerous cemetery access road repairs
• 3. Hosting 195 volunteers for a total of 68,000 hours, which correlated to a savings of more than $2.3 million
• 4. Treating a record 15,500 acres with prescribed fire, drastically improving habitat and forest health in areas of LBL
• 5. Leveraging partnerships such as AmeriCorps, Southeast Conservation Crops and Student Conservation Corps to support work on the ground across multiple program areas, and engaging 23 interns and apprentices totaling more than 18,000 hours of work
• 6. Replacing Hematite Bridge on Road 134 in conjunction with Kentucky Department of Transportation, reconnecting an access drive to Woodlands Nature Station
• 7. Transferring 43 elk to West Virginia to assist in the reintroduction of the species in the Mountain State
• 8. Completing timber salvage sales from tornado impacted areas, bringing roughly $4 million back to LBL
• 9. Planting more than 50 American chestnut trees with the hopes of restoring the iconic species
• 10. Contributing $25,000 to the new Between the Rivers Cemetery & Heritage Perpetual Fund to address cemetery issues alongside Tennessee Valley Authority and Friends of Land Between the Lakes

In addition, Land Between the Lakes worked to improve visitor experience through new and innovative solutions, to include: the addition of new cabins to Turkey Bay, expanding the camping season at Energy Lake, reconstructing 31 campsites affected by storm damage, implementing a new point of sale system for camping reservations, repurposing Bacon Creek as a primitive equestrian campground, hosting a record number of children for 2024 Kids Fishing Rodeo, and installing new siding on Golden Pond Visitor Center.

“The last 12 months have been among the most progressive years here, thanks to the love and care so many give to Land Between the Lakes,” said Jared Baker, deputy area supervisor. “It is about managing momentum. We will strive for continued success and evolution from Canal Loop to Gray’s Landing, and everywhere in between in 2025.”