Parks and Recreation System Master Plan Update (2016) parks_and_recreation_system_master_plan_update_oct | Page 490

ones that exist for the Natural Areas Division and Olmstead Parks Conservancy have been very
successful and should be enhanced and expanded to support additional park lands. It would be
beneficial for Parks to explore partnering with the Jefferson County Public Schools as many
secondary school students could benefit from both the environmental education and the hands-on
work within the Parks properties. Similarly, a newsletter solely concerned with emphasizing
natural resources could also be developed. Existing avenues of promoting natural resources in
Metro Parks and Recreation could be better utilized- particularly individual natural resource
parks websites. These websites could be updated monthly or quarterly to include news on natural
resource management and significant ecological findings. By including pictures of natural areas
on the park's websites, this will also influence the public perception of the Metro Parks and
Recreation system.
7. Adapting park policy to scientific findings
Metro Parks and Recreation has worked with many local and state-wide researchers in
various scientific investigations. For example, Dr. Margaret Carreiro of the University of
Louisville has lead a research project on predicting the impact of global climate change on
ecosystem functioning by examining plots in the urban to semi-rural forests of Metro Parks and
Recreation. In addition, a future proposal to determine pre-settlement flora, vegetation, and
wilderness remnants within Jefferson County has been submitted by Dr. Julian Campbell, a
skilled botanist, formerly with the Nature Conservancy. Metro Parks and Recreation is very
willing to allow research to be conducted within its properties. However, there is no current
method by which Parks policy can be altered to reflect new scientific findings, whether from
research being conducted locally or from the scientific community as a whole. In order to
effectively manage and preserve natural resources, Metro Parks and Recreation must be able to
alter existing management practices. Under Kentucky Revised Statute (KRS) 97.250(2), the
Parks Director can set new rules. It would be advantageous for parks employees working in
natural resource management to present the Director with policy suggestions based on scientific
finding on an annual basis in order to effectively manage natural resources.
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