A new chance for wildlife?

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – It’s no secret that Kentucky has really gone through the ringer weather wise, but there could be just a small silver lining to all the changes the state has seen over the past 12 months.

Natural disasters have broken out across the state to much dismay, but one group might see some positive effects in the long run; our wildlife.

In an interview with Kentucky Climatologist, Dr. Jerry Brotzge, climate trends in the state have changed and rainfall has increased significantly over the past few decades, and that weather in the Bluegrass lately has been unprecedented.

But in speaking with the Commissioner of Kentucky’s Fish and Wildlife, Rich Storm said that though these events may seem negative in the beginning, these are actually beneficial events for wildlife.

We are now seeing wildfires pop up as a casualty of an unusually dry fall season, but at the same time it allows for new growth on the forest floor and destruction of invasive species the department looks to protect Kentucky’s forests from. Tornado damage in forests can serve as new habitat space for animals like songbirds and other small animals near the forest floor.

Commissioner Storm said overall, wildlife is looking up in Kentucky.