Kathy Melvin, Business Integrated

                                                                 Communications   502.609.9813

River Fields Offers Tours of Wolf Pen Branch Mill Farm

There are lush fields of green with intense spots of spring color—and there are only three days this year for Louisvillians to see it.

In April, the public has the chance to walk through historic property and see a rare collection of wildflowers and plants, including an endangered species. The walks are scheduled for April 14, 15, and 17 at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. 

River Fields, Inc., a 50-year-old land and river conservation/preservation organization is offering spring tours of Wolf Pen Branch Mill Farm.  Area biologists with expertise in the exceptional collection of plant life on the property will guide the tour. 

News media can get an advance tour by calling Kathy Melvin at (502) 609-9813. Photos and video of Wolf Pen Branch Mill Farm can be seen at www.riverfields.org/WildflowerWalks.htm.

Nestled on 412 acres of undeveloped land along Wolf Pen Branch Creek, the farm features native regional wildflowers, a federally endangered plant species, and an historic water-powered grist mill.  The farm and the mill are forever preserved through a conservation easement co-held by River Fields, Inc. and the Kentucky Heritage Council.

Sallie Bingham, noted writer and founder of the Kentucky Foundation for Women owns the property. She donated the conservation easement in 1999 so the property would remain undeveloped and protected for future generations.

Tours are free to River Fields members. Non-members may attend by donating $25 to River Fields, which includes a one-year River Fields membership. Call the River Fields office at (502) 583-3060 for reservations.

High quality digital images and a DVD of the property are available upon request.

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River Fields is the largest and oldest river conservancy along the 981-mile Ohio River.  For nearly 50 years, River Fields has utilized its resources to effectively protect, preserve and enhance the natural and cultural resources of the land and water around the Ohio River in our region.  Through its programs of land conservation, advocacy, and education, River Fields strives to create harmony between nature, history and the people who live here.  River Fields owns land or holds conservation easements on 34 properties, totaling more than 2,200 acres, most of which is preserved forever. River Fields is one of the nation's few land trusts tackling regional advocacy work and land conservation.