Many volunteers were members of the Western Kentucky Back Country Horsemen, a non-profit affiliate of Back Country Horsemen of America. BCHA advocates for continued, responsible horse use of public lands and provides information about conservation and maintenance of land and other natural resources used for equine-based recreation and travel. The Kentucky Horse Council provided volunteers as well.
Western Kentucky Back Country Horsemen, formed in 2005, hosts cleanup days for the equine and hiking trails in the Higginson-Henry Wildlife Management Area. This WMA, located in Union County, holds much appeal for those who yearn for access to the natural world. Acquired in 1968 by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, the 5450-acre property has ridges and bottomlands; streams and lakes; wooded and cleared areas; wildflowers, butterflies, and birds of many kinds. According to Foreman Curt Divine, the WMA is most revered for its deer and turkey, particularly for bow hunting, and small game as well.
Members of WKBCH feel a special connection to the Higginson-Henry WMA, not just for the diverse flora and fauna, but also for its history. J. D. Kramer noted that one of the fishing lakes was named after his great uncle, Cap Mauzy, now deceased. “I never met Cap but all I have ever heard were good things about him and how he enjoyed seeing kids in the woods,” said Mr. Kramer. He went on to explain what he is trying to accomplish by helping organize the cleanup of the trails on the property: “I do not ride horses but my kids do and I want to see kids in the woods as much as my great uncle did. That’s what life is all about – kids. This WMA is one of our county’s greatest assets and we enjoy all the recreational opportunities available on the area.”
The trail workday was a success: obstacles were cleared and tall grasses were mowed, greatly reducing exposure to ticks. Members of the WKBCH and KHC would like to thank KDFWR and others for making this opportunity possible, and offer special thanks to Mr. Divine for his cooperation and time.
Photos of the workday can be found at http://chiggsphoto.com/WKBCH8-14-11/index.html. For more information about photos, please email Cynthia Higgs at chiggs@insightbb.com.
For more information about Back Country Horsemen organizations in Kentucky, contact Edith Conyers at ehconyers7900@gmail.com.
ABOUT THE KENTUCKY HORSE COUNCIL
The Kentucky Horse Council is a non-profit organization dedicated, through education and leadership, to the protection and development of the Kentucky equine community. The Kentucky Horse Council provides educational programs and information, outreach and communication to Kentucky horse owners and enthusiasts, equine professional networking opportunities through KENA, trail riding advocacy, health and welfare programs, and personal liability insurance and other membership benefits. The specialty Kentucky Horse Council license plate, featuring a foal lying in the grass, provides the primary source of revenue for KHC programs.
For more information about the Kentucky Horse Council, visit www.kentuckyhorse.org or call 859-367-0509.