Department of Fish and Wildlife
Winchester Couple Wins Salato Wildlife Education Center’s Backyard Makeover Contest

Steve and Anita Collins of Winchester won the Salato Wildlife Education Center’s $10,000 Backyard Makeover raffle during a drawing held Thursday.

The Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Foundation sponsored the contest, with proceeds to benefit the Salato Wildlife Education Center in Frankfort. The Nature Conservancy, H2O Design, Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, Lowes Home Improvement, Bluegrass PRIDE, the Frankfort/Franklin County Tourist Commission, Wild Ones and the Sierra Club joined in providing additional sponsorships.

Collins and his wife are long-time visitors to the Salato Center, which the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources operates for educational purposes.

As the winners, the Collins family will receive $10,000 worth of improvements to their backyard. Anita Collins has already expressed an interest in a pond.

The makeover of the Collins' yard will focus on landscaping with native plants, trees and wildflowers. Their package also may include non-native plants that provide habitat and are not invasive. Aside from attracting birds, butterflies and wildlife, the makeover project will provide an opportunity to educate the public about the importance of gardening with native plants - and remembering the needs that animals have for food, water, shelter and space.

Keep watching “Kentucky Afield” television on KET for a segment on the transformation of the couple’s yard.

The Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that works with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife to support the efforts of the Salato Center. The foundation also acquires land and wetlands for wildlife habitat, and supports conservation education programs for Kentucky youth. To learn more about the foundation, visit their Web site at www.kentuckywildlife.com.

The Salato Center has a variety of native animals for the public to see, including a black bear, bobcats, elk, deer, bison, an eagle, snakes and fish. The center has numerous indoor exhibits and miles of hiking trails open to the public. Fishing is available at two lakes. While some programs may require a registration fee, admission to the Salato Center is free.

Learn more about upcoming events at the Salato Center on the Internet at fw.ky.gov. The Salato Center, operated by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, is located at the department’s headquarters on U.S. 60 in Frankfort, 1.5 miles west of U.S. 127. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. The center is closed Sundays, Mondays and state holidays.