2018 Red River Gorge, Daniel Boone NF
Daniel Boone National Forest is the only national forest completely within the boundary of Kentucky. Originally named the Cumberland NF in 1937, the current proclamation boundary is nearly 2,100,000 acres, but private land tracts are littered throughout the forest and the Forest Service manages 706,000 acres. The forest remains a jewel in the bluegrass state with something for everyone. The Forest has lush forests, steep mountains, abundant flora and fauna, unique geology, such as sandstone arches and towering cliffs, wild and scenic rivers, picturesque lakes, sites with significant archaeological interest, one of the world’s largest concentrations of caves and more!
We’ll return to the Red River Gorge Recreation area, which is a unique, scenic natural area that attracts thousands of visitors each year. The Red River Gorge is designated a Geological Area, National Natural Landmark and National Archaeological District and placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Spectacular rock features and the Wild & Scenic Red River are just part of the attraction. Outdoor enthusiasts come to the gorge year-round to enjoy hiking, camping, canoeing, wildlife viewing and other recreation opportunities. Recent scientific excavations of rock shelters in the gorge and surrounding areas uncovered seeds that showed evidence of early plant domestication. The dry, sandy soils in rock shelters of the gorge contain a wealth of information about the origins of agriculture. The unique dry, nitrate-rich soils of rock shelters in the gorge provide excellent preservation of normally perishable artifacts and make this area extremely valuable for archaeological interest.
Our project is assisting the Cumberland Ranger District in the Red River Gorge on trail work, invasive removal and campsite restoration, including the 12,646 acre rugged Clifty Wilderness that supports an unusual array of plant and animal life. 750 kinds of flowering plants and 170 species of moss thrive in this area. A significant number of endangered, threatened, sensitive, and rare species of plants and animals exist in this area as well. We will camp in a designated campground and make short hikes and drives to the work sites each day.
For more information: http://www.WildernessVolunteers.org
Read MoreWe’ll return to the Red River Gorge Recreation area, which is a unique, scenic natural area that attracts thousands of visitors each year. The Red River Gorge is designated a Geological Area, National Natural Landmark and National Archaeological District and placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Spectacular rock features and the Wild & Scenic Red River are just part of the attraction. Outdoor enthusiasts come to the gorge year-round to enjoy hiking, camping, canoeing, wildlife viewing and other recreation opportunities. Recent scientific excavations of rock shelters in the gorge and surrounding areas uncovered seeds that showed evidence of early plant domestication. The dry, sandy soils in rock shelters of the gorge contain a wealth of information about the origins of agriculture. The unique dry, nitrate-rich soils of rock shelters in the gorge provide excellent preservation of normally perishable artifacts and make this area extremely valuable for archaeological interest.
Our project is assisting the Cumberland Ranger District in the Red River Gorge on trail work, invasive removal and campsite restoration, including the 12,646 acre rugged Clifty Wilderness that supports an unusual array of plant and animal life. 750 kinds of flowering plants and 170 species of moss thrive in this area. A significant number of endangered, threatened, sensitive, and rare species of plants and animals exist in this area as well. We will camp in a designated campground and make short hikes and drives to the work sites each day.
For more information: http://www.WildernessVolunteers.org
