The partnership will allow for the establishment of a Wildlife Management Area (WMA) agreement that will affect 10,273 acres of the university’s land.
The University of the Cumberlands and the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources have come together for a Wildlife Management Area agreement that will give the public access to 10,273 acres of the university’s land, including for hunting, fishing, and nature study, and the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources will help implement conservation plans, patrol the land with game wardens, and help with property management. The area that is under the WMA includes university lands in Whitley and McCreary counties.
According to an article on the University of the Cumberlands’ website, Derek Beard, who serves as the assistant director of the Wildlife Division at Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Resources, was quoted as saying of the arrangement, “This mutually beneficial partnership with University of the Cumberlands is an example of ongoing efforts to open new properties for wildlife-related recreation in Kentucky. In addition, this agreement will allow us to implement habitat improvement projects that will benefit wildlife species on the WMA and provide excellent learning opportunities for students who may want to work with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife or another conservation agency after graduation.”
The land that is part of the University of the Cumberlands WMA includes an array of environments ranging from mature forests to shrubs and grasses and includes terrain that is moderate to steep. On this WMA land, individuals may hunt for deer, bear, and coyote, though only with bows and arrows. Other species may be hunted in the lawful ways outlined for the county the land is part of. The WMA specifically prohibits nighttime hunting, horseback riding, off-road driving, target shooting, baiting or feeding, and commercial guiding.
Dr. Larry L. Cockrum, the university’s president, noted, “This partnership allows Cumberlands to do what is in the best interest of the community we serve. We are conserving a large piece of land to serve generations of those who love to enjoy the outdoors. Our students also have another opportunity to extend their education beyond the classroom by using this partnership to expand what we offer academically.”
Students will be involved in conservation and wildlife habitat improvement projects on the WMA land, and Dr. Cockrum noted that the university’s natural science programs will likely bring these activities into their curricula in the future.
For more information about the University of the Cumberlands, visit the school’s website.