Help Us Plant FREE TREES in Kentucky!

The Kentucky State Parks have an opportunity to acquire funding to plant trees through the "Odwalla Plant a Tree" program. 

Please click on the link below to vote for Kentucky, then forward this to your friends.  It will only take a few seconds and won't cost a penny.  You can plant one for each of your email addresses.  You can also plant one additional tree per email by using the code ODWSPR. 

Your votes can help us reforest our state parks, which will be a benefit to everyone!

Thank you! 

Just click here:  Plant trees in Kentucky!

The Kentucky Horse Park has a new green project (literally and figuratively green).

In partnership with the University of Kentucky's College of Agriculture's Cane Run Watershed Project, M2D Designers and the Bluegrass Partnership for a Green Community, the park has planted part of the Cane Run Creek that runs through the park with native flowers, trees and shrubs.

It’s part of a water quality improvement project for the Cane Run watershed.

The goal of the project is also to encourage land owners to do the same thing on their property. It’s a practical, sustainable and ecologically sound solution that provides beauty, good habitat for wildlife, erosion prevention, storm water retention and natural pollution filters.

Right now the wild bergamot, black-eyed susans and purple coneflowers are blooming, but there are also plenty of other perennials that will bloom throughout the rest of the season, as well as trees such as sycamore, white swamp oak and bald cypress. This fall another section of the Cane Run Creek at the park will also be planted.

Watch a brief video.

Invasive Asian Longhorned Beetle Found in Ohio - Forestry officials urge Kentucky residents to be on the lookout

FRANKFORT, KY (June 28, 2011) – A new and potentially serious threat to some of North America’s most beautiful trees was recently detected in the southwestern town of Bethel, Ohio, across the Ohio River from Campbell County, Kentucky.  The invasive insect known as the Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) is among a growing number of exotic, invasive pests to threaten the nation’s forests. The beetle can significantly damage both rural and urban forests, but so far, has had the greatest impact in urban areas.

 “The detection of Asian Longhorned Beetle in southern Ohio is too close for comfort, and we need Kentuckians to be on the lookout for this devastating pest and call us if they find it,” said state forester Leah MacSwords, director of the Kentucky Division of Forestry. “Quarantines around infested areas will be the most effective means of controlling this insect. As with other invasive insects, the public’s cooperation by not moving firewood and reporting suspected infestations to forestry officials is the first line of defense,” MacSwords added.

ALB infestations were first discovered in the United States in 1996.  The beetle is believed to have arrived in North America in wooden packing material used in cargo shipments from China.  Efforts to control the beetle have taken place in Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York. In all instances where ALB has been found, authorities have reacted quickly to stop the infestation from spreading. 

Public awareness is the key to preventing the spread of this insect since there are currently no practical methods for controlling or eradicating ALB.  Despite on-going research to evaluate the effectiveness of different insecticides, the only way currently known to control the insect is to destroy the infested trees and to regulate the transportation of any firewood, lumber or any infested “host” tree or live beetles from quarantined areas to outside zones. 
           

Trees attacked by ALB are predominantly maples, but infestations have also been discovered in horse chestnuts, poplars, willows, elms, mulberries, black locusts and birch, many of which are popular trees to plant in urban areas.

ALB kills trees while in the larvae stage by tunneling into large branches and the trunk. Infestations can be identified by the perfectly round, dime-sized exit holes along the trunk, sometimes with sap flowing out and sawdust piled up at the base of the tree.  Adult beetles emerge in July and August and can be seen in the summer to mid-fall.  Adults are easily identified by their large, shiny black body with distinctive white spots.  They are also relatively big for an insect measuring 1 – to 1 ½ inches long and their white-banded antennae span the length of their body.   

Citizens are encouraged to help report any signs of infestation by contacting the Kentucky Division of Forestry at 502-564-4496. For more information, please visit www.aphis.usda.gov and http://www.beetlebusters.info/.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kerri Richardson
502.564.2611
502.330.6633
 
Terry Sebastian
502.564.2611
502.229.6130

Gil Lawson
502.564.4270
502.382.6596

Gov. Beshear announces Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games had economic impact of more than $201 million
Report: Visitors to event came from 63 countries, all 50 states

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 27, 2011) – The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games held in 2010 at the Kentucky Horse Park had an economic impact of $201.5 million, Governor Steve Beshear announced today.

“The World Equestrian Games were indeed a success and this report illustrates the positive result that our local and state governments, our sponsors, the many volunteers, the business community and the citizens of the Commonwealth working together can have.” Gov. Beshear said. “It also underscores the important role of the Kentucky Horse Park and the legacy the games will have for future years.”

Gov. Beshear, First Lady Jane Beshear, Alltech founder Dr. Pearse Lyons, Tourism, Arts and Heritage Secretary Marcheta Sparrow and Kentucky Horse Park Executive Director John Nicholson participated in the announcement today at the Kentucky Horse Park.

“The World Equestrian Games was a unique opportunity to reaffirm our standing as Horse Capital of the World, as well as promote tourism and business in Kentucky,” said Mrs. Beshear.  “To witness the event first-hand, from its inception to the closing ceremony of the final day, I am thrilled with its success and want to thank everyone who took part in creating and executing such a tremendous, historic event for our state.”

The Alltech World Equestrian Games were held Sept. 25 through Oct. 10, 2010, the first time the international event had been held outside of Europe. The games are composed of eight events – dressage, driving, endurance, eventing, jumping, para dressage, reining and vaulting.

According to the report commissioned by the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, the Alltech World Equestrian Games Foundation reported that it sold or provided complimentary tickets to 419,853 visitors. They came from 63 countries and all 50 states.

The economic impact took into account “direct” spending that accounted for $128.2 million. This includes guest spending at the Horse Park, lodging, restaurants, shopping centers and retail outlets.

It also considered “indirect” spending – $73.3 million – such as money spent for food and lodging suppliers, construction and other services that were needed to support the influx of guests.

The report found that $55.4 million was spent on tickets, food, souvenirs and other items at the event while $39.6 million was spent on lodging. The games also generated nearly $18.4 million in state taxes and nearly $4.6 million in local taxes, the report said.

“While these financial impact numbers are quite impressive and stronger than even anticipated, the impact extends far beyond the monetary evaluation,” said Dr. Lyons. “For years to come, our community will reap the benefits of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, from a new sense of community pride to statewide improvements and infrastructures that continue to drive tourism today.”

The study was conducted for the cabinet by Certec Inc. of Versailles. Information for the study was supplied by the World Games 2010 Foundation Inc., the Kentucky Horse Park, and the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet. An online version of the report is available at http://www.kentuckytourism.com/industry/research.aspx.

“The investment Gov. Beshear and the legislature made here at the Horse Park has already made this facility the best in the nation for equine-related events and organizations,” Lexington Mayor Jim Gray said. “The visibility the Games brought to our city and the investments the state made in Lexington to help our city host the Games – road improvements, a much improved gateway into our city and a new runway at the airport – have elevated Lexington’s brand as the Horse Capital of the World. The legacy and the economic impact of the Games have been remarkable.”

The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games had a direct impact on passenger travel at Lexington’s Blue Grass Airport. In October 2010, passenger enplanements increased by 39 percent from the previous year, according to the airport’s 2010 annual report.

The airport and its partners hosted more than 700 private and corporate airplanes, provided security for international dignitaries, welcomed more than 460 international athletes and facilitated 18 special event charter flights, said Eric Frankl, executive director at Blue Grass Airport

“It was a privilege for the airport to serve as the gateway to central Kentucky for World Equestrian Games visitors,” he said. “The airport experienced one of its busiest months in airport history as a result of the collaborative effort put forth by our airlines, airport partners and staff to successfully handle an event of this magnitude.”

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Follow Governor Beshear on Twitter @Govstevebeshear, read the Governor’s personal notes on his blog at http://blog.governor.ky.gov/, and view the Governor's weekly YouTube commentary at http://www.youtube.com/governorbeshear.

White Prince, a very rare white Thoroughbred, arrived at the Kentucky Horse Park today (Wed, June 22, 2011) at 1:30pm. 

He is one of only a few dozen registered white Thoroughbreds in the world. 

White Prince will become a member of our Breeds Barn and will participate in our Parade of Breeds Shows. 

He was donated to the Kentucky Horse Park by Patchen Wilkes Farm of Lexington, which bred him.

Watch a video of White Prince

Photos by PixBySteve.com

Read a very nice article in the Lexington Herald-Leader about this exhibition.

The Kentucky foal license plate  funds the Kentucky Horse Council programs, helping Kentucky horse owners, equine businesses and associations, and the welfare of Kentucky horses. 

Because of the revenue from the foal license plate, KHC is able to provide programming and support for Kentucky equestrian trail access and maintenance, health and welfare initiatives, education and networking, youth activities, competitions and support for the equine industry.