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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.

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.

*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

  • Zack Couch
    Executive Director
    Tel: 502-229-9758

    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
  • Alexis Sheehan
    Database Analyst
    Tel: 502-782-1630

    Area of Responsibility: Biotics 5 administration and support, GIS Products and Support, Data Quality/Data Assurance, Data Agreements
    Director's Office
  • Sydnie Hansen
    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
  • Vacant
    Terrestrial Zoologist
    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

  • Jason Nally
    Natural Areas Branch Manager
    Tel: 502-330-4328

    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 Program Coordinator
    Tel: 502-330-4705

    Area of Responsibility: Coordinate prescribed fire activities across OKNP sites statewide; team leader for natural area techs.
    Natural Areas Branch
  • Gregg Janos
    Green River Manager; Heritage Land Conservation Fund biologist

    Area of Responsibility: Management of nature preserves, natural areas, and wild rivers within the Green River region. Land acquisition and monitoring of HLCF sites statewide; program compliance.
    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
  • 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
  • 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
    Barrens Manager

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

    Area of Responsibility: Management of nature preserves, natural areas, and wild rivers within the Bluegrass Region
    Natural Areas Branch
Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet
300 Sower Blvd
Frankfort, KY 40601    

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The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability or sex. This policy protects the rights of Cabinet employees, service applicants and customers. Vendors, agencies and organizations providing services to the Cabinet or its recipients of federally-aided programs also must comply with this policy.

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