Welcome to Friends of Griffith Woods

Griffith Woods contains the best known remnant of the unique and fascinating bluegrass savanna-woodland and other vegetation that once covered this region before the pioneer area. The savanna is characterized by scattered, large trees and undergrowth with course grasses such as wild rye and running buffalo clover. Dominant species include blue ash, chinquapin oak, bur oak, hickories and black walnut, and many of the trees are more than 300 years old. In fact, the world's largest chinquapin oak is found at Griffith Woods.
Image of chinquapin oak

Owned by Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, this site has hundreds of acres, providing an extraordinary opportunity for education and enjoyment, as well as for researchers to study and develop ecological restoration models. Native plants propagated at the sitehave been used to restore the woods and other areas within the Central Kentucky region.

Please join us for workdays May 11, 12!

PHOTO: The hyacinth is half way to full flower — may be fading somewhat on the 11/12th workday... darn!! But plenty of seed to collect if we want. It is spectacular.

• May 11 and 12, 2019: The Scouts are planning to focus on cleaning up the site and doing other needed tasks. Thanks Scouts! All interested people are welcome to field trips at Griffith Woods on both days in the a.m. and p.m. Meet at 9 a.m. (for morning tour 9-12 noon) or 1 p.m. (for afternoon tour 1-4+ pm) in the parking lot on east side of US 62, 4 miles south of Cynthiana in Harrison County.  The entrance is about 1500 feet north of the T junction with Russell Cave Road (Route 353). The Saturdays are our focus but the Sundays are backup if there is bad weather or other difficulties in scheduling. I (Julian Campbell) will be there on all four days at least 15 minutes early even if no one comes, rain or shine. Please email me (campmeet@gmail.com) or call 859-229-7711 to register and check on details, or just stop by to chat on those days. In the afternoons, volunteers will be welcome to work on some simple tasks, but bring your own appropriate tools. All volunteers will be asked to sign a liability release. We will focus on pulling bush honeysuckle seedlings from two special areas. There are also some larger bushes to reduce in adjacent fencerows, so please bring an efficient hand saw if you want to help. And if you want to help remove old barb wire, please bring a wire cutter or similar tool. We will not use chainsaws or herbicide, leaving this work for follow up later in the summer. However, if you want to become part of a continuing stewardship effort, I will explain how we will get organized, including permits for applying glyphosate to cut stumps.
• The Friends of Griffith Woods are being reorganized and we will focus on volunteer work.
• For events, meet  in the parking lot on the east side of US 62, four miles south of Cynthiana in Harrison County. The entrance is about 1500 feet north of the T junction with Russell Cave Road (Route 353). Julian will be present. Please email him at campmeet@gmail.com or call 859-229-7711 to register and check on details, or just stop by to chat on those days.

We will look at a variety of woods and fields across from this 745 acre farm, which offers the best opportunity to restore something like the original woodland of our central Bluegrass region. For background on this woodland, see Julian’s website by clicking HERE.

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We will usually be pulling and cutting invasive plants or planting trees, so bring work gloves and tools if you have them: loppers, handsaws and shovels.

Wear comfortable, durable clothes.

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WE ALWAYS NEED HELP PULLING INVASIVE PLANTS, SO VOLUNTEERS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME!

Questions? Need directions?

Call Julian Campbell at 859-229-7711.

VISION: Griffith Woods contains the best known remnant of the unique and fascinating bluegrass savanna-woodland ecosystem that once covered this region before the pioneer area. This exceptional oak/ash savanna is characterized by scattered, large trees and undergrowth of course grasses such as cane and running buffalo clover. Dominant species include blue ash, chinquapin oak and shagbark hickory, and many of the trees are more than 300 years old. In fact, the nation's largest chinquapin oak is found at Griffith Woods.

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Owned and managed by Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, this 745 acre protected site still provides an extraordinary opportunity for researchers to study and develop ecological restoration models. Native plants propagated at the site have been used to restore the woods and other areas within the Central Kentucky region.

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The property is currently closed to the public except by appointment. The Friends of Griffith Woods has offered educational opportunities for school groups and the public, including trail walks and workshops to inform the public about native vegetation. Visitors learn how to identify different species and how to apply this knowledge to their own gardens.

The Friends of Griffith Woods have raised and planted hundreds of trees on site, most of them from seed gathered on the property. Some of the overstock seedlings have been used for restoration and streambank improvement projects in the region.

• Current workdays have focused on removal of bush honeysuckle and seeding the cleared areas with appropriate seeds harvested on site. See the Upcoming Events page for more information about joining the fun.
• Griffith Woods is a nature preserve containing the largest remnants of the original wilderness that once covered Central Kentucky before the time of Daniel Boone. Its open savanna woodland is the best example in the Bluegrass for researchers to learn about the unique ecosystem that once prevailed in this region. Efforts are underway to eradicate invading species and restore indigenous plants to this protected area, which is now owned and managed by Kentucky Fish and Wildlife.

• Facilitate preservation, restoration, and public use of the unique ecological and cultural features of Griffith Woods.
• Facilitate scientific and transdisciplinary research, education, and outreach at the site and at related ecological and cultural sites in the Bluegrass Region.
• Support and collaborate with the landowner, raise funds in support of activities at the site, and communicate with relevant organizations and the general public.
• Provide native plants and associated restoration services for Griffith Woods and cooperators elsewhere in the central Bluegrass Region.

The Friends of Griffith Woods is a non-profit organization formed to support the activities at Griffith Woods. Membership includes a members-only newsletter and invitations to special events. Volunteer opportunities are also available to help carry out our mission. Click here for a printable membership form that can be filled out and mailed along with your check.

Annual Dues

• $25 Individual
• $50 Family
• $100 Sustaining