Welcome to the Division of Natural Areas

Eastern Kentucky University is responsible for the protection and management of two natural areas in Kentucky that serve as outdoor settings for all levels of environmental education and ecological research. These are: Lilley Cornett Woods Appalachian Ecological Research Station of Eastern Kentucky University (Letcher County)and Maywoods Environmental and Educational Laboratory (Garrard County)). Eastern Kentucky University's Division of Natural Areas is responsible for coordinating the research, educational programs, development, and use of these areas. These areas are also available for the general public to use for recreational activities such as hiking, wildlife watching, and nature photography.

In addition to managing two natural areas, the Division of Natural Areas houses the Center for Environmental Education and the Eastern Kentucky Research Institute.

Lilley Cornett Woods, the first and one of the largest protected tracts of old-growth forests in eastern Kentucky, is a Registered National Natural Landmark by the U.S. Department of Interior. The Woods is used primarily for base-line ecological research and advanced undergraduate and graduate instruction by the University, Division of Natural Areas, Eastern Kentucky Environmental Research Institute and other institutions of higher education. Public use is limited to guided tours in this unique forest.

Maywoods Environmental and Educational Laboratory is used by the University and elementary and secondary schools in the surrounding area for environmental education. This 1700- acre forested natural area is an official State Wildlife Refuge used to attract and protect native wildlife through approved wildlife management programs. On-site facilities make Maywoods an ideal off-campus location for conferences, workshops, and retreats sponsored by EKU or for area school field trips.

The Center for Environmental Education at Eastern Kentucky University is dedicated to provide for the needs of Kentucky teachers. Quality professional development opportunities are provided by the Center through nationally recognized environmental education curricula, including; Project WILD, Project WET, Project Learning Tree, etc.. In addition, the Center offers technology training and equipment loan services for teachers whom have attended EKU courses and/or professional development workshops. Also, the Center supports the development and implementation of graduate level courses at EKU leading to an Environmental Education Endorsement for teacher certification. The Center for Environmental Education is part of the Kentucky University Partnership for Environmental Education, which consists of eight centers; one center at each of the 8 State Universities.

The Eastern Kentucky Environmental Research Institute's mission is to promote environmental research related activities, primarily in Eastern and Appalachian Kentucky. An integral part of the Institute's mission is its commitment to developing an interdisciplinary and multi-institutional approach to understanding Eastern Kentucky's Ecosystems, furthering our understanding of contextual threats to human and environmental health, building community participation to address environmental problems, providing research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students, and contributing to math and science education in the regions K-12 schools.

STAFF

Dr. Melinda Wilder, Director

Karen Pratt, Senior Office Associate
Robert Watts, Manager, Lilley Cornett Woods  606-633-5828
Homer Strong, Manager, Maywoods  859-925-2274
William Bennett, Director, Center for Environmental Education  859-622-2902
Dr. Alice Jones, Director, Eastern Kentucky Environmental Research Institute   859-622-6914