Under the terms of the Acquisition Grant and the Nature Preserve Dedication, professional staff from the Department of Natural Resources and from the Kentucky Nature Preserves Commission will be actively involved in preparing and implementing management plans for the site. The Acquisition grant requires that Clark County develop a Final Management Plan (FMP) setting forth the structure and details about how it will manage and operate the park in the future.

The FMP for Lower Howard's Creek Nature and Heritage Preserve must be in place withing 2 and 1/2 years of November 27, 2000. Funding was provided in the grant for Clark County to carry out natural and archeological studies of the preserve area which will provide the base line information necessary for determining how to best manage the land, the plants and animals, and the cultural legacy of the preserve area.

The Heritage Commission is now in the process of finding and contracting with the professional who will carry out those studies consistent with state guidelines. While the required natural and archeological studies are being carried out, the Heritage Commission and the Friends will develop and structure the volunteer participation and outside funding that will be needed to implement the FMP. They will also provide limited, supervised access to the preserve consistent with the Preliminary Management Plan that Clark County agreed to implement over the first two and one half years of ownership, while the FMP is being developed. Currently a Cultural Resource Survey nearing completion. Click here to learn more!