About the Central Kentucky Wildlife Refuge
The Central Kentucky Wildlife Refuge is a 500-acre preserve, located 13 miles from Danville in the Parksville knob land and bordering a stretch of the beautiful North Rolling Fork. The refuge is open to all as a protected area for the enjoyment and study of nature in its many fascinating forms — a large, typical area of Boyle County set aside as a permanent sanctuary for plant and animal forms native to Central Kentucky, to be enjoyed by future generations. It is open year-round from dawn to dusk.
If you like the outdoors, you will discover here a chance to escape the crowds and traffic and find enrichment in the simple beauty of nature. Birds, animals, plants and other forms of wildlife may be seen on each visit, and they vary with the changing seasons. See the Trails page for trail descriptions.
Visitors are encouraged to record each visit in the Guest Register near the door of the Mary Ashby Cheek Nature Center. The Center houses information about the area, displays, and educational materials. It is open by appointment. See the Contact Us page.
The Fred Loetscher Bird Blind near the caretaker’s home provides close-up views of feeding birds for study and photography and also includes a Guest Register for recording visitors and numbers of species seen. The feeders are stocked from October through May. During that time, one may easily see 12 to 15 species in a half-hour visit—more during spring and fall migrations. Common resident species include Northern Cardinal, Bluejay, Carolina Chickadee, American Goldfinch, Downy Woodpecker, and White-Breasted Nuthatch, to name a few.
Scheduled wildflower walks, hikes, and star-gazing events are open to the public. See the Events page for dates and times.
The Central Kentucky Wildlife Refuge is a non-profit organization and relies on volunteers and donations for its upkeep. See the Membership and Donations page for more information.
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Hello. We have been to your lovely bird blind several times and really enjoyed this special treat. Thanks so much to all involved with feeding the birds, taking care of the property, and more. Unfortunately, the last time we visited, there was a bird who was attacking the reflective window. Sadly, most often this ends with the bird perishing. We had a similar problem with our mirror-like windows in our home. However, we purchased and installed window perf on top of all the reflective surface and the issue was totally solved. We have extra window perf we will gladly mail to you if you wish (free of charge). Or if you wish to order, will you please search online or Amazon for perforated vinyl privacy window film adhesive glass wrap roll or window perf? It is easy to cut and install. Plus, it allows persons to view out, but the birds are no longer troubled by reflections, etc. It also has other positive properties. It is often used for signage on vehicles.
Again, thanks bunches to all for all your time and efforts involved with the CKWR. We are truly grateful and we are sorry to trouble you with this matter.
If you have more questions or need more help, will you please contact Libby at 859-388-4679 (mobile)?
Most Sincerely and With Much Appreciation,
Danny and Libby Barnes
Would you recommend this place for elementary school age children. Do you provide tours?
I would like to come to the refuge to photograph birds from the bird blind. Are you putting out feed yet? If so, what time do you feed?
I am a homeschool grandmother that would like to take my grandson here for a field trip for his upcoming science project how much is it for a day 2-3 adults 1 child age 8 he is in a ELP that’s why being homeschooled. please advise on how to proceed plus it said appt only for the Mary Ashby Cheek Nature center I would like that also. need all this info for april 29th for arbor day field trip project
Hello Michele,
I have sent your information along to our Education Directors. They should be contacting you soon to work out the details of your visit.
Thanks for your interest in visiting the Central Kentucky Wildlife Refuge!
Is this a place you drive thru to see the wildlife or do you walk thru it? I am from out of town. Thanks
You walk through. We have hiking trails you can walk on.