What We Do

We are a state-based conservation and policy collaborative, established in 1975.

 

Our Mission

The mission of the Kentucky Conservation Committee is to provide a trusted voice of the public in Kentucky’s capitol and throughout Kentucky, effectively advocating for protection, restoration and sustainable use of natural resources for the equitable benefit of all citizens in our Commonwealth.

Our Vision

KCC’s vision is for Kentucky to be a responsible steward of the Commonwealth’s land, air, water and biota, and for Kentuckians to understand that the health of their families, communities and economy depends on the conservation of these resources.

 

We work in a nonpartisan manner to ensure that our democracy works for all citizens, particularly those who are not able to advocate for themselves.

 

Over Four Decades of Environmental Success

  • We played a major role with state agencies to secure $1.2 million in demonstration projects to protect wildlife and reduce traffic collisions.

  • We have provided legislative support to clean energy advocates to encourage proactive residential and commercial solar laws. 

  • We have lobbied to restore critical funding that protects the state’s wild lands.

  • We have provided legislative support to citizens and organizations advocating for clean transportation and electrification of the transportation sector.

  • Our efforts set the stage for the passage of the state’s Purchase of Agricultural Easements (PACE) Program, providing significant progress for land conservation.

  • We worked with state agencies and allies on obtaining $62 million in grant funding for expanding solar energy opportunities for low-income households.

  • We helped initiate Kentucky’s scenic easement legislation as part of Kentucky’s planning and zoning statutes.

  • Our efforts to address solid waste in Kentucky included the promotion of “Bottle Bill” legislation and related container deposit legislation. This led to significant improvements in statewide waste regulations.

  • Our efforts strengthened the Kentucky Wild River act, making it more resilient to legal challenges for including more lands into the system.

  • We were one of the first to raise the issue of the significant environmental and climate impacts of “proof of work” digital currency operations in Kentucky and push back on pro-crypto policies.

Since its formation in 1975, KCC has supported legislation for: 

Wetlands and Natural Areas Protection • Water Management • Solid and Hazardous Waste Management • Scenic Areas Preservation • Environmental Trust Fund • Agricultural Land Preservation • Strip Mining Control • Bottle Bill Proposals • Sustainable Economic Development • Protection and Strengthening Environmental Standards • Forestry Practices • Energy Efficiency • Renewable Energy • Healthy Soils