Floracliff Nature Sanctuary

Floracliff Nature Sanctuary is a 346-acre nature preserve located in the Kentucky River Palisades region in southern Fayette County. The preserve is comprised of steep slopes, mixed hardwood forests, Kentucky River bottomlands, swiftly running tributary streams and limestone palisades.  All visitation to Floracliff is limited to guided hikes and programs for small groups, providing a unique balance between protection and stewardship of the sanctuary and promotion of the region’s biodiversity and natural history.

The preserve was founded by Dr. Mary Wharton who purchased the land in a series of parcels between 1958 and 1989, acquiring a total of 287 acres. She died in 1991, leaving behind a non-profit foundation governed by a Board of Directors. In 1996, the preserve was dedicated as a Kentucky State Nature Preserve, giving it perpetual protection from development. In 2017, an additional 59 acres was purchased and protected with an easement provided by the Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund.

Floracliff offers a variety of guided hikes, activities, and workshops knowing that a greater understanding of the natural environment leads to a greater appreciation of it.