Oak-Grassland Restoration Demonstration Areas

Oak-Grassland Restoration Demonstration Areas

We received several questions about Land Between The Lakes Oak-Grassland Restoration Demonstration Areas as described in our brochure. Editors Note: The 2007 Oak-Grassland Restoration Demonstration Areas brochure referenced in these questions can be found here. 1) What recreational opportunities are created by Oak-Grassland Restoration Demonstration Areas? Providing for recreation opportunities plays a role in all that we do here at Land Between The Lakes. Overall, our recreation opportunities have improved by restoring a native ecosystem to support a diverse wildlife that depends on open under-story forests with shrubs, wildflowers, and grass components. The dominant tree species of oak/hickory also provides…
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Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge

Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge

Submitted by Brian Truskey Communications Department apprentice at Land Between The Lakes The next time you come to visit Land Between The Lakes, plan to visit to our neighbors to the south at the Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge encompasses 51,000 acres of forest, farmland and grassland wildlife habitat. In 1945 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service established the area to provide feeding, resting, and nesting habitat for migratory birds. Now over 306 species of birds currently call the refuge home at some point during the year. Over 50 types of mammals, 144 fish species, around 90 species of frogs,…
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Summer in the Elk and Bison Prairie

Summer in the Elk and Bison Prairie

The following is provided by Curtis Fowler, Range Technician at Land Between The Lakes: Sure, the brown fuzzy things are the number one interest to most of the visitors who drive through the Elk and Bison Prairie; however, there are a lot more feathered, crawling, and flowering things in there if you are willing to take the time to slow down and enjoy them too! Remember, when it is hot, the ones wearing the coats like to find shade, so look for the other things that like to show off for visitors regardless of the weather. Enjoy your visit! --Curtis
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Osprey: native again

Osprey: native again

Osprey - Pandion haliaetus Summertime visitors today often see osprey plunging "feet-first" into the lakes and ponds after their dinner -- fish. Though native to the area, osprey became victims of pesticides like DDT, illegal hunting and habitat loss. By 1950 nesting osprey could not be found anywhere in Kentucky. Beginning in 1984, Land Between The Lakes took part in a Kentucky-wide osprey restoration effort aimed at re-establishing a resident population of nesting birds. Using a raise and release technique called "hacking," our wildlife staff raised young birds isolated from human contact on a tall hacking tower near the Nature…
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