Meet the 4 Largest Landowners in Kentucky

Key Points:

• 1.1 million acres of land are owned by Kentucky’s federal government.
• Tobacco billionaire Brad Kelley is one of the top landowners in Kentucky, owning an impressive 500,000 acres.
• Kentucky has 52,891 acres managed by land trusts.

Kentucky has over 12.4 million acres of forestland! There are also wetlands and hilly grasslands sprinkled across the landscape. The entire state makes up an impressive 25,428,480 acres.

Who is responsible for caring for all that land? The answer lies with a mix of private landowners, federal government agencies, state forest programs, and land trusts. To help break things down, this article will explore the top landowners in Kentucky and what they’re doing with the land.

Who owns the most land in Kentucky? Read on to find out!

1. Federal Government — 1.1 Million Acres

1.1 million acres of land are owned by Kentucky’s federal government. The US Forest Service manages the majority of this land. The Department of Defense, National Park Service, and Fish and Wildlife Service also help oversee vast forests, hilly grasslands, and wetlands.

One of the federal government’s most important jobs is managing the national parks. Take, for instance, Kentucky’s Mammoth Cave National Park. It’s home to the world’s most complex underground cave systems. The federal government helps fund research surrounding the park’s archeology.

2. Brad Kelley — 500,000 Acres

Tobacco billionaire Brad Kelley is one of the top landowners in Kentucky, owning an impressive 500,000 acres. Throughout the nation, he owned nearly 1.14 million acres.

Why buy so much land? Kelley sees the land as something you can always count on to increase value. And it appears he’s right! Recently, Kelley made nearly $100 million by selling over half a million acres of West Texas ranches and 50,000 deeded acres in New Mexico. The sale proves that investing in the land can offer long-term rewards.

Now, most of Kelley’s land is in Kentucky. One of the most iconic properties he manages in Kentucky is Calumet Farm. The 762-acre historic farm is a renowned home to some of the 20th century’s greatest racehorses. And it’s been around for nearly 100 years.

3. Land Trusts — 52,891 Acres

Kentucky has 52,891 acres managed by land trusts. These organizations work to conserve the state’s unique places and keep them healthy. Land trusts also focus on providing public access to these beautiful outdoor spaces.

The Kentucky Natural Lands Trust (KNLT) is one of the many local and national land trusts that operate in Kentucky. Since forming, KNLT has protected over 15,500 acres! One of their most popular spots is the Hyslope Preserve, which has many bat caves.

The Hyslope Preserve is 46 gorgeous acres that lead up to the ridge line of Hyslope Gap in the Laurel Fork Watershed. Thanks to the KNLT, wildlife and native plant species will continue to thrive on these lands.

4. Kentucky State Forest Program — 48,829 Acres

The Kentucky state forest program manages 48,829 acres of state forest land. This includes 10 state forests, like the Green River.

The Green River Forest is Kentucky’s very first carbon sequestration project. Carbon sequestration is when carbon dioxide is removed from the air and stored in a solid or liquid form. This can happen naturally or artificially.

For Green River State Forest, carbon sequestration is happening naturally. By planting over 500 acres of hardwood seedlings, the forest is absorbing carbon dioxide and helping fight climate change. The forest also serves as a critical habitat for the rare Copperbelly water snake.

The Nature Conservancy’s Cumberland Forest Project

While not technically landowners, The Nature Conservancy has a lot of power when deciding the future of Kentucky’s landscape. The Nature Conservancy is a non-profit organization protecting nearly 100,000 acres in Kentucky with projects like the Cumberland Forest Project.

The Cumberland Forest Project is an ambitious effort to protect the Central Appalachian Mountains, covering 253,000 acres across Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia. This landmark project represents one of the largest land acquisitions in The Nature Conservancy’s history within these two states. The project is helping to protect the different types of animals and plant life in the Central Appalachian Mountains.

The Nature Conservancy achieves its goals by combining private investments with climate resiliency goals. The land they oversee is closely managed to reduce carbon emissions, increase wildlife habitat and maintain a healthy forest.

Final Thoughts on Top Landowners in Kentucky

Now you know about the top landowners in Kentucky! The federal government possesses 1.1 million acres, and Tobacco billionaire Brad Kelley owns 500,000. There are also 48,829 acres managed by the Kentucky State Forest Program and 52,891 owned by land trusts like The Kentucky Natural Lands Trust (KNLT). Plus, nearly 100,000 acres are under protection by The Nature Conservancy’s Cumberland Forest Project.

Top landowners are essential contributors to Kentucky’s natural resource conservation. From carbon sequestration projects to managing endangered species, people are working together to keep Kentucky’s wild spaces vibrant!

Summary of the 4 Largest Landowners in Kentucky

Here is a list of the 4 largest landowners in the state of Kentucky:

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