KRS 146.440: Uses and purposes of nature preserves and natural areas.

In order to secure for the people of the Commonwealth of Kentucky of present and future

generations the benefits of an environment having one or more of the characteristics of a

natural area, the office is hereby empowered to acquire in the name of the

Commonwealth of Kentucky and to hold in trust for the benefit of the general public an

adequate system of nature preserves and natural areas in the manner herein set forth, and

for the following uses and purposes:

(1) For scientific research in such fields a s, but not limited to, ecology, taxonomy,

genetics, forestry, pharmacology, agriculture, soil science, geology, paleontology,

ornithology, herpetology, mammalogy, biology, entomology, agronomy,

conservation, and all other natural sciences;

(2) For the tea ching of biology, natural history, ecology, geology, conservation and

other related subjects;

(3) As habitats for plant and animal species and other natural objects;

(4) As reservoirs of natural materials;

(5) As places of natural interest and beauty;

(6) As living illustrations of our natural heritage wherein one may observe and

experience natural biotic and ecological systems of the earth and their processes;

(7) To promote understanding and appreciation of the aesthetic, cultural, scientific and

spiritual values of our unpolluted and unspoiled environment;

(8) For the preservation and protection of nature preserves against modification or

encroachment resulting from occupation, development or other use which would

destroy their natural or aesthetic conditions;

(9) As places where people may observe nature's web of life and our natural heritage,

and as reminders of the vital human dependence upon unspoiled natural areas.