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Center for Environmental Education

College of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

Center for Environmental Education

College of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

Explore the Natural Beauty of Our Region

Become a part of the conservation and preservation of our natural world

Established in the fall of 2002, Eastern Kentucky’s Center for Environmental Education has been actively engaged to achieve the following goals:

  • Provide environmental education training to formal and nonformal educators at a local and regional level
  • Develop and implement environmental programs and curriculum
    Coordinate activities and services with other institutions of higher learning
  • Assist the community in understanding environmental issues
    Conduct and evaluate research in environmental education
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Center for Environmental Education Degrees & Certificates

Why Study Environmental Science & Environmental Education?

Many students are drawn to environmental studies because they love nature. This course of study allows you to study nature through a scientific lens while personalizing your degree from EKU.

EKU is fortunate to be located in a region of Kentucky with exceptional natural beauty. As part of our commitment to environmental education, conservation, and research efforts, the division of natural areas protects and manages three natural areas: Lilley Cornett Woods in Letcher County, Maywoods in Garrard and Rockcastle Counties, and Taylor Fork Ecological Area in Madison County. As a unit, these Natural Areas function as a continuum of natural habitats found in the Commonwealth and cover more than 2,300 acres.

University classes and organizations, community groups, and the public are welcome to use the Natural Areas for a variety of purposes, depending on the site. These uses may include meetings, seminars, workshops, wildlife viewing, hiking, natural photography, and fishing.

The Center for Outdoor Education and Research was established in 2022 by Eastern Kentucky University as an innovation to allow collaboration across multiple colleges and units. The center leverages the natural and cultural capital of EKU’s Natural Areas, agricultural lands, and other outdoor venues with the goal of increasing opportunities for students, faculty, the Richmond community and beyond.

The Center uniquely positions EKU as a leader of academic pursuits in outdoor education and strongly contributes to transforming higher education in the state and to boosting the economic growth of eastern Kentucky by:

  • Fostering cross-college, interdisciplinary collaboration for outdoor education, recreation, and research with emphasis on natural, cultural, agricultural, and recreational resources, the environment, public safety, and outdoor recreation
  • Developing partnerships with state, federal, and non-governmental organizations and other external agencies
  • Securing external funds to support education, research, internships, and infrastructure
  • Recruiting current EKU students through new interdisciplinary certificate programs and internship opportunities
  • Offering high-demand fields of training such as wilderness first aid, GIS, environmental education, environmental science, and natural resource management

Natural Areas & Environmental Field Stations

Located in Letcher County in the southeastern corner of Kentucky, Lilley Cornett Woods (LCW) encompasses 554 acres of mixed mesophytic forest. A portion of the total acreage, 252 acres, is designated as “old-growth” forest; a forest which has not undergone any manmade changes in 150 years.

Biodiversity of plants and animals abound at LCW. There are over 530 species of flowering plants and an estimated 700 breeding pairs of birds present. In addition, a variety of small mammals, amphibians and reptiles call Lilley Cornett Woods home.

Visitor Center Hours
April 1 – October 31: Open daily: 8:30 am – 5 pm
November 1 – March 31: by appointment only

Trail Information
Public access to Lilley Cornett Woods’ two designated trails is by guided tours only. Hikers may choose between the 2 hour guided tour and the 4 hour guided tour. Tours are not regularly scheduled, but are available during Visitor Center hours on a first come, first serve basis. Calling ahead to schedule a tour is recommended. For groups and classes, contact the manager in advanced to schedule a tour.

  • Map of Lilley Cornett Woods
  • Reservation/Housing Request Form
  • Liability Waiver (Please fill out liability waiver form before arriving).

Research & Teaching Facilities
We recently received a grant from the National Science Foundation to construct a 1700 sq ft Research and Learning Center. The facility has a classroom/dry laboratory and a wet laboratory with support space for each, and is available for classes, meetings, and research.

Contact Information
Curtis Cox, Manager
Lilley Cornett Woods
91 Lilley Cornett Branch
Hallie, Kentucky 41821
606-633-5828

A 1,700 acre natural area and wildlife refuge nestled in the Knobs Region of Kentucky, Maywoods is located 22 miles southwest of Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) Richmond campus and straddles parts of Garrard and Rockcastle Counties. As EKU’s Environmental and Research Laboratory, the facility provides research opportunities for the University’s students and faculty, as well as environmental educational opportunities for the University community, surrounding county schools and community groups.

Download the Trail Map

Facilities at Maywoods include:

  • 5 self-guided hiking trails under 1 mile, plus a 4.2 mile self-guided hiking trail.
  • A lodge with semi-private dormitory accommodations for 40, a central meeting room and fully equipped kitchen
  • Wireless internet service in lodge
  • Outdoor classroom shelter
  • Amphitheater
  • Lake Edmiston (Fishing permitted from the shore; April 1 to October 31. Valid fishing license required. Fishing regulations posted on site)

Hours
Maywoods is open to the public from dawn to dusk every day for hiking and fishing. The entrance gate to Maywoods is open from 9am to 5pm on weekends from April 1st to October 31st. It is often open on weekdays and throughout the week year-round, but this is dependent on staff schedules and maintenance needs. If the gate is closed or you plan to stay after 5pm, visitors may walk in by parking outside the gate (do not block the gate!) in the gravel area to the left of the gate or along the shoulder of the road.

For Teachers & Environmental Educators
To provide teachers and environmental educators, formal and non-formal, resources to enhance their group’s experience at Maywoods, the Division of Natural Areas has developed a Leader’s Manual and educational activity kits. The Leader’s Manual is designed to help all group leaders have a successful and enjoyable outdoor, environmental educational experience with their group at Maywoods. The Activity Kits are available for teachers and other environmental/outdoor education leaders to use during their Maywoods visit. Each kit is designed to explore one of Maywoods ecosystems.

Download The Leader’s Manual

Contact Information
Homer Strong, Manager
Maywoods Environmental and Educational Laboratory
447 Maywoods Road
Crab Orchard, KY 40419
859-925-2274

Taylor Fork Ecological Area is a 60 acre site near EKU’s main campus in Richmond. The Area’s habitat is primarily old pastureland with fencerow strips of trees and small patches of woods and canebrakes. Developed as a site for learning, research and restoration, Taylor Fork was conceived by students in EKU’s Wildlife Management Program. The students marshaled administrative support, wrote funded grant proposals, organized work days and help manage the site. To start restoration, students worked with Tom Biebighauser, from the US Forest Service, to construct ten wetlands and plant thousands of trees.

Trail Map of Taylor Fork Ecological Area Trails of Carnes Farm & Tudor Farm

Financial support for the project was provided by the following organizations:

  • Bluegrass PRIDE
  • Sheltowee Environmental Education Coalition
  • USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program
  • Natural Resource Conservation Service
  • Eastern Kentucky University

Contact Information
Dr. David Brown:
david.brown@eku.edu
Office: Science Building 4229
859-622-2283

Student Stories & Features

Madeline Bentsen

EKU Forensic Science Graduate
The faculty was tough and fair, they wanted me to succeed and they pushed me to think critically and logically. However, they were very understanding and cared deeply for their students. They helped to prepare me for the field of forensics and helped me strengthen my weaknesses.
photo of Brad Rich

Brad Rich

EKU Forensic Science Graduate
The thing that I feel like many people, including myself, find surprising about the program is how encompassing it is. It’s not all chemistry or biology but also public speaking and critical thinking incorporated with mock trial and capstone that truly prepare you for the field of forensic science. After graduating I realized just how well I was prepared by the faculty in my program, making the transition from education to career seamless.

Madison High

EKU Environmental and Applied Geology Graduate
My degree provided me with the knowledge I needed to get a solid start to my career. I was able to get a job with the Kentucky Geological Survey within a few months of graduating and I am thrilled to be working for them. I also took the ASBOG Fundamentals of Geology exam shortly after graduating and passed it on my first try.

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Contact Information

Division of Natural Areas

521 Lancaster Ave
3106 New Science Building
Richmond, KY 40475

859-622-1476
Fax: 859-622-8068
naturalareas@eku.edu

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