Protection of rare species requires cooperation of private landowners. Private individuals hold 95 percent of the land in Kentucky. This rich landscape is home to a diverse group of species. Changes in land use, pollution and fragmentation have had a negative impact on many of these species. Pallid sturgeon, Virginia big-eared bat, vesper sparrow, Braun’s rockcress and littlewing pearlymussel are a few of the 390 plant and 317 animal species that are currently listed as rare in the commonwealth. Additionally, six plant and 49 animal species are considered extirpated from the state or extinct.    
 
Recognizing the fact that conservation of these imperiled species will not be possible without the assistance of private landowners, the Landowner Incentive Program (LIP) was created. LIP is a collaborative effort of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, the Kentucky Chapter of The Nature Conservancy and the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission. This program is meant to provide private landowners with the technical and financial assistance necessary to protect and enhance habitat for Kentucky’s most imperiled species.

1.  Bayou de Chien and Obion Creek 
2.  Grand Rivers Corridor 
3.  Big Barrens 
4.  Middle Green River 
5.  Big and Little South Forks of the Cumberland River 
6.  Buck Creek 
7.  Rockcastle River 
8. Kentucky River Palisades 
9. Licking River 
10. Kinniconick and Tygerts Creek 

If you are interested in helping to protect our natural heritage by participating in the Landowner Incentive Program, please contact us.

For more information contact:
Sunni Carr
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
#1 Sportsman’s Lane
Frankfort, KY 40601
800-858-1549, ext. 334
sunni.carr@ky.gov