An Oasis within the Sprawl

Contributors: Claire Carlson, Nicole Clements

Nestled in a valley between subdivisions and a railroad, Brushy Fork Nature Preserve stands as a testament to the power of vision and collaboration. Join us for this month’s hike and explore the oasis between the sprawl!

Join the Banklick Watershed Council and Green Umbrella’s Greenspace Alliance for the Meet A Greenspace Hike at Brushy Fork Nature Preserve on Friday, February 20th, from 3-4:30 PM.

When Fate Intervenes

In Northern Kentucky, suburban development has become increasingly common. Hillsides are cleared, ridges leveled, and sediment fills the valleys, covering streams, destroying habitats, and disrupting local ecosystems. Fortunately, fate had something different in store for Brushy Fork Nature Preserve.

Located in the heart of suburbia, this 104-acre property offers a rare retreat into natural beauty. This nature preserve features wetlands, forested hillsides, and Brushy Fork Creek, a tributary of Banklick Creek and the Ohio River.

The land was originally slated for subdivision development, but in the early 2000s, the Banklick Watershed Council met with the developer to discuss the potential ecological impacts. Although the land was not preserved at that time, the meeting helped establish a lasting relationship with the owners and laid the groundwork for future conservation efforts.

In 2014, the Banklick Watershed Council (BWC) successfully purchased the first section of the nature preserve along Brushy Fork Creek, which had already been protected as a conservation easement. While this was a huge win, the BWC knew that much of the land was still at risk. In early 2019, BWC received a call asking if they were still interested in purchasing the remaining part of the property. Due to a series of fortunate circumstances, they were able to acquire the land within the year!

Shifts and Returns

Stepping onto the property, it is easy to feel as though you have been transported elsewhere. As you descend the sloping hillside into the valley below, noises from the outside world fade into the background. During the warmer months, families from nearby communities enjoy taking a dip in the creek, hunting for fossils, or having a picnic along the banks. Old-growth trees tower overhead, while spring ephemerals cover the forest floor as winter warms to spring.

Although Brushy Fork is now preserved in perpetuity, the landscape shows marks from past changes. Years ago, Banklick Creek was rerouted, dramatically changing the area’s ecosystem. At a lookout point along the northwest edge of the property near the railroad tracks, visitors can see a picturesque view of the creek. A closer look, however, reveals eroding hillsides—evidence of the lack of access to its natural floodplain. The site is a good case study on the dramatic changes that can occur in a natural system when a stream is rerouted.

Even with these drastic changes, the Banklick Watershed Council and its many partners are working to protect this hidden paradise and revive the natural systems that previously existed here.

Explore Brushy Fork!

We hope you’ll join us at our upcoming Meet A Greenspace Hike at Brushy Fork Nature Preserve! The hike will take place on Friday, February 20th, from 3-4:30 PM and will be guided by the Banklick Watershed Council. We will meet at 10463 Canberra Dr., Independence, KY 41051. Pull down the gravel driveway, and you will find a parking lot behind the houses. If parking is full, you may park on the street – please do not block residents’ driveways. Note: these are undeveloped trails and are rough/steep in places. Trails may be muddy, so please wear appropriate footwear.

This hike is part of our monthly Meet a Greenspace Hiking series. We hope these hikes will provide those who join the time and space they need to reconnect with nature. If you have any questions, contact Green Umbrella’s Greenspace Alliance Manager Claire Carlson at claire@greenumbrella.org.

The Greenspace Alliance would like to thank its sponsors, Duke Energy and the Cincinnati Wildflower Preservation Society, for making this hiking series possible!