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02/05/2008
A Message from the President :
Welcome to the Kentucky Society of Natural
History’s (KSNH) website! If you want to find out more about the KSNH,
you came to the right place. There are many facets of the website just
as there are many aspects of the KSNH that may interest you.
We have three local chapters that include the:
Falls-of-the-Ohio (Louisville area)
Arches of the Cumberland (Slade/Natural Bridge area)
Wilderness Trail (Pineville area)
These Chapters typically have their own individual activities on a
monthly or other routine basis. You can go to the sidebar menu (or site
map) and check out the KSNH news link to view the chapter and state
newsletters, or you can learn more about our chapters on our chapters
link to see what activities they have going on.
Members are typically interested in a broad spectrum of natural sciences
and related fields such as astronomy, botany, entomology, geology,
mycology, ornithology, nature photography, zoology, etc.
Many of our members do not affiliate with any of the chapters,
preferring to participate as a statewide member in our spring and fall
conferences instead. The spring conference is typically held in April
and the fall conference occurs in late September or early October. These
conferences usually are based in one of Kentucky’s resort parks,
although on occasion we have ventured into other areas, such as the
Great Smoky Mountains, and in spring 2009, we are planning to go to
Reelfoot Lake.
Participation by youth is encouraged at the conferences as we have
activities to keep them busy learning and enjoying nature as well as
spending quality time with their parents and/or grandparents. Junior
Naturalist Certificates are presented to the youth at the final meeting
of the conference, where they are asked to share their favorite
memories. If you take the time to join us, you will see our events are
very family friendly.
In keeping with our mission, KSNH also awards several
grants to Kentucky
graduate students to promote natural history/biodiversity knowledge in
Kentucky. I’m very proud to announce that in 2007 we awarded a total of
five grants. The recipients of these grants will provide an update of
their research to group at one of the spring or fall meetings.
Dean Henson, Naturalist at Pine Mountain State Resort Park, described
the Society to the local newspaper in spring 2007:
“The Kentucky Society of Natural
History is an organization that's been around a long time.
Its membership comes from a wide assortment of disciplines
but they all have a few things in common; enjoying the
outdoors, wanting to learn more about nature, and sharing
those experiences with others.
The Society (chapters) holds monthly meetings and field
trips throughout the year, but this is the occasion of their
spring state conference. The chosen site for the annual
retreat is always one of high natural integrity--this year
they're coming to Pine Mountain State Resort Park.
The spring conference is much more than a gathering of the
membership, its one of two annual signature events for the
Society. The conference features professional guest speakers
on natural history topics, assorted hikes to local natural
features, and guided field trips to celebrated natural
areas.” |
We are a diverse group of individuals all with a
passionate interest in all the natural sciences. Our membership includes
renowned professionals as well citizens that just want to learn more
about nature. Membership is not restricted to Kentucky although most of
our members reside here. Several of our members come from neighboring
states.
If you would like to join the Society please visit our
membership
link and send in the form. If you have any other questions about the
Society, benefits of membership, or you would just like to talk natural
history please send me an email (joesettles@ksnh.org), and I will be
happy to help in any way I can.
I look forward to hearing from you or seeing you at one of our meetings.
Thank you for considering the Society as an outlet for your enthusiasm
for nature.
Kentucky Proud,
Joe Settles
President, KSNH
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