Floracliff was established as a nature sanctuary by the late Dr. Mary Wharton, former botany professor and Biology Department head at Georgetown College. Dr. Wharton began acquiring the Floracliff property in 1958. The property is located on the Kentucky River in Fayette County. The Floracliff Board of Directors owns the preserve and jointly manages it with the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission. This area was dedicated on March 15, 1996. Floracliff is 287 acres of old field upland and second-growth forest dominated by maple, oak and hickory. In addition to having a rich and diverse wildflower display, Floracliff also harbors a significant geological feature. Below Elk Lick Falls is a tufa formation, which resembles a frozen waterfall. It is considered one of the best tufa formations in the eastern United States. Similar to stalagmites in caves, tufas are formed when minerals within dripping water are deposited on a surface. Travertine is the primary mineral composing this tufa. The formation is 61 feet high and 8-12 feet in diameter. The rich flora, ravines, cliffs and waterfalls of Floracliff make it one of the more scenic areas in central Kentucky.
Visitation to the preserve is by appointment only and is restricted to small groups led by approved leaders.
Registration is required for all events and programs are limited to 15 participants. All events are $4 per person or $10 per family unless otherwise noted. For more information or to register contact Preserve Manager Beverly James at 859-351-7770 or e-mail her at floracliff@aol.com. To learn more about Floracliff please visit the official Web site at www.floracliff.org.
Winter Tree Identification
When: Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010
Start time: 1 p.m. EDT
Preserve Manager Beverly James will discuss how to identify trees by looking at their bark, buds and leaf scars during this hike to Elk Lick Creek.
Volunteer Day
When: Saturday, March 6, 2010
Start time: 10 a.m. EST
Cost: Free!
Help protect and showcase the beauty of Floracliff by removing exotic and invasive plant species from the preserve, doing trail work or by just lending a hand with general maintenance. Tools and snacks will be provided. If you are interested in helping out on any other day, give us a call and we can work something out!
Signs of Spring with Beverly James
When: Saturday, March 13, 2010
Start time: 1 p.m. EDT
Join Preserve Manager Beverly James in search of the season’s earliest wildflowers. We can't make any guarantees, but hopefully we'll see some of the early risers such as purple cress, trout lilies and snow trilliums.
Wildflowers and their History with Native Americans
When: Saturday, March 27, 2010
Start time: 1 p.m. EDT
Native Americans used many of our native plants for food, medicine, fiber, ceremonies and much more. Floracliff Field Tech Tommy Kuhlman, will discuss many of these uses with a focus on what's in bloom.
Mid-week Wildflower Hike
When: Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Start time: 10 a.m. EDT
Play hooky and catch the spring wildflower display at its peak.
Wildflower Folklore with Ryan Quire
When: Saturday, April 3, 2010
Start time: 1 p.m. EDT
Many of our wildflowers have interesting historical uses and superstitions or neat stories about how they were named. Floracliff Field Tech Ryan Quire will discuss the fun facts of wildflowers on this hike to Elk Lick Creek.
Wildflower Hike with Brian Yahn
When: Saturday, April 17, 2010
Start time: 10 a.m. EDT
Join KSNPC Ecologist Brian Yahn as he leads this wildflower hike. Celandine poppies, dwarf larkspur, nodding trilliums and shooting stars should be in full bloom!
Herpetology with Zeb Weese
When: Saturday, May 1, 2010
Start time: 9 a.m. EDT
KSNPC Eastern Regional Preserve Manager Zeb Weese, will lead this program to find some of our native frogs, snakes, salamanders and turtles in the pond and at Elk Lick Creek. He usually brings a snake with him just in case we don't find one. This program is one the entire family will enjoy.
