Preservation group purchases 1,400 acres on Pine Mountain
HARLAN, Ky. (AP) — An environmental preservation group has purchased nearly 1,400 acres (567 hectares) in an effort to preserve lands around Pine Mountain in far eastern Kentucky.
The Kentucky Natural Lands Trust bought 1,368 acres (554 hectares) on Pine Mountain in Harlan County that adjoins another tract the organization purchased in 2017 and will establish the Warbler Ridge Preserve, the Lexington Herald-Leader reported on Wednesday.
The group has been working for years to acquire land on Pine Mountain and aims to establish a 125-mile (201 kilometers) long wildlife corridor to serve as a migration route for several species and a refuge for birds, animals and plants.
The trust purchased the land for $1.36 million from Southeast Education Foundation, which raises money for Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College. Foundation head Ed Harris said proceeds will go toward items including scholarships and special projects.