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Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet

​​​​​KNP botanists, zoologists, land managers, and data managers work with others to protect our natural heritage and educate Kentuckians about its importance.  Board members provide oversight on the KHLCF program and the nature preserve dedication process.

All staff can be reached by contacting:

Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves
300 Sower Boulevard
4th Floor
Frankfort, KY 40601

Email: naturepreserves@ky.gov

Phone: 502-573-2886
Fax: 502-564-7484

​The following offers a list of staff along with areas of expertise and their direct contact information as well as the board members. 

*Note: Due to COVID-19, staff are working from home and may not be immediately reached through their office numbers. Voicemails left for these numbers will be delivered to staff via email.* 

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    Director's Office

  • Sunni L. Carr-Leach
    Executive Director
    Tel: 502-892-4446

    Area of Responsibility: Policy, Public Affairs, Legislative Issues, Strategic Planning and Staff Supervision
    Director's Office
  • Judy Cunningham
    Budget Specialist
    Tel: 502-782-7822

    Area of Responsibility: Budget, Purchasing, Accounts Payable/Accounts Receivable, Inventory/Facility Management
    Director's Office
  • Stephanie Ellis
    Purchasing Specialist
    Tel: 502-782-7823

    Area of Responsibility: Heritage Land Conservation Fund program administration
    Director's Office
  • Nour Salam
    Database Analyst

    Area of Responsibility: Biotics 5 administration and support, GIS Products and Support, Data Quality/Data Assurance, Data Agreements
    Director's Office
  • Alexis Schoenlaub
    Geoprocessing Specialist

    Area of Responsibility: KY-BAT administration and support, GIS Products and Support, Data Quality/Data Assurance, Data Agreements
    Director's Office
  • Ted Brancheau
    NRCS Environmental Scientist

    Area of Responsibility: NRCS/Farm Bill ecological data liaison
    Director's Office

    • Biological Assessment and Plant Conservation Branch

  • Tara Littlefield
    Biological assessment and plant conservation branch manager
    Tel: 502-782-7831

    Area of Responsibility: Coordinates rare plant monitoring and management, coordinates Kentucky's Section 6 Endangered Species Act program for plants, performs botanical inventories
    Biological Assessment and Plant Conservation Branch
  • Martina Hines
    Environmental Scientist
    Tel: 502-782-7827

    Biological Assessment and Plant Conservation Branch
  • Devin Rodgers
    Botanist
    Tel: 502-782-7835

    Area of Responsibility: Native plant monitoring, botanical inventories
    Biological Assessment and Plant Conservation Branch
  • Mike Compton
    Aquatic Zoologist
    Tel: 502-782-7821

    Area of Responsibility: Monitoring of fishes, mussels, crayfishes, and aquatic snails; streams and wetlands
    Biological Assessment and Plant Conservation Branch
  • Kendall McDonald
    Botanist

    Area of Responsibility: Native plant monitoring, botanical inventories
    Biological Assessment and Plant Conservation Branch
  • Tony Romano
    Botanist

    Area of Responsibility: Native plant monitoring, botanical inventories
    Biological Assessment and Plant Conservation Branch
  • Shelby Fulton
    Terrestrial Zoologist
    Tel: 502-782-7825

    Area of Responsibility: Monitoring of insects, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and turtles
    Biological Assessment and Plant Conservation Branch
  • Vanessa Voelker
    Botanist

    Area of Responsibility: Native plant monitoring, botanical inventories
    Biological Assessment and Plant Conservation Branch
  • Rachel Cook
    Botanist

    Area of Responsibility: Native plant monitoring, botanical inventories
    Biological Assessment and Plant Conservation Branch

    • Natural Areas Branch

  • Josh Lillpop
    Natural Areas Branch Manager
    Tel: 502-782-7830

    Area of Responsibility: Coordinate habitat conservation, management, and monitoring at nature preserves, natural areas, heritage lands, and wild rivers; staff supervision
    Natural Areas Branch
  • Heidi Braunreiter
    Prescribed Fire Coordinator
    Tel: 502-782-6111

    Area of Responsibility: Coordinate prescribed fire activities on state nature preserves and natural areas statewide
    Natural Areas Branch
  • Kyle Napier
    Pine Mountain Manager
    Tel: 606-434-4294

    Area of Responsibility: Management of nature preserves, natural areas, and wild rivers within the Pine Mountain region
    Natural Areas Branch
  • Vacant
    Green River Manager
    Area of Responsibility: Management of nature preserves, natural areas, and wild rivers within the Green River region
    Natural Areas Branch
  • Ryan Fortenberry
    Cumberland Plateau Manager

    Area of Responsibility: Management of nature preserves, natural areas, and wild rivers within the Cumberland Plateau Region
    Natural Areas Branch
  • Maddy Heredia
    Heritage Lands Outreach Specialist

    Area of Responsibility: Coordinates outreach, environmental education, and volunteers; monitors conservation easements and assists with KHLCF program
    Natural Areas Branch
  • Doug Wilder
    Natural Areas Trails Manager

    Area of Responsibility: Coordinates hiking trail construction and maintenance and other infrastructure on natural areas.
    Natural Areas Branch
  • Zachary Beyer
    Bluegrass Manager

    Area of Responsibility: Management of nature preserves, natural areas, and wild rivers within the Bluegrass Region
    Natural Areas Branch

    • Board Members

  • Commissioner Russel Meyer
    Chairman

    Area of Responsibility: Representing the Kentucky Department of Parks
    Board Members
  • Sunni Carr
    Representing the Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves
    Tel: 502-892-4446

    Area of Responsibility: Representing the Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves
    Board Members
  • Hugh Archer
    Vice-Chair

    Area of Responsibility: Representing environmental organizations
    Board Members
  • Dr. Shannon Galbraith-Kent
    Member
    Tel: 270-789-7637

    Area of Responsibility: Representing the Kentucky Academy of Sciences
    Board Members
  • Charlotte Turner McCoy
    Member
    Area of Responsibility: Representing citizens of the Commonwealth with expereince in land acquisition
    Board Members
  • Dr. Paul Sheets
    Member
    Area of Responsibility: Representing the League of Kentucky Sportsmen
    Board Members
  • Ted Jessup
    Member
    Area of Responsibility: Representing agricultural interests
    Board Members
  • Commissioner Gordon Slone
    Member

    Area of Responsibility: Representing the Kentucky Department for Natural Resources
    Board Members
  • Derek Beard
    Member

    Area of Responsibility: Representing the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
    Board Members