Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest is a 14,000 acre (57 km²) arboretum, forest, and nature preserve located in Clermont, Kentucky (south of Louisville, Kentucky, United States). An arboretum is a botanical garden primarily devoted to trees and other woody plants, forming a living collection of trees intended at least partly for scientific study. ... Clermont is a USGS-designated populated place (one of 32) located in Bullitt County, Kentucky, south of Louisville. ... Louisville redirects here. ...

Sign at the entrance of Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest

Bernheim was founded in 1929 by Isaac Wolfe Bernheim, a German immigrant and successful brewer whose whiskey distillery business established the I.W. Harper brand. He purchased the land in 1928 at $1 an acre because most of it had been stripped for mining iron ore. The Frederick Law Olmsted landscape architecture firm started work on designing the park in 1931 and it opened in 1950. Bernheim Forest was given to the people of Kentucky in trust and it is the largest privately owned natural area in the state. Bernheim, his wife, daughter, and son-in-law are buried in the forest. Image File history File links Bernheim_Sign. ... Image File history File links Bernheim_Sign. ... Isaac Wolfe Bernheim (November 4, 1848- 1945) was a Jewish businessman notable for starting the I. W. Harper brand of bourbon distilled at the Bernheim distillery in Louisville. ... Frederick Law Olmsted, oil painting by John Singer Sargent, 1895, Biltmore Estate, Asheville, North Carolina Frederick Law Olmsted (April 26, 1822 – August 28, 1903) was a United States landscape architect, famous for designing many well-known urban parks, including Central Park and Prospect Park in New York City, the country... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

In 1988, at least one outside consulting firm was engaged and work on a new long-range plan for the forest was begun. One of the directives of the new strategic plan was to make the arboretum a primary focus. In addition, the forest decided to strengthen its research ties with institutions such as the University of Louisville. As a result, Bernheim Forest was re-named Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest. However, most local visitors still refer to the property as "Bernheim Forest," and most (if not all) of the signage located along surrounding roads still refer to the old name. In recent years, Bernheim has developed a strong volunteer program, added frequent public workshops and classes, and successfully hosts several large public events each year. These include the annual ColorFest in October and a 5-mile (8 km) run/walk, also held in October. The University of Louisville (also known as U of L, Louisville, or the Ville) is a public, state-supported university located in Louisville, Kentucky, USA. It is mandated [1] by the Kentucky General Assembly to be a Preeminent Metropolitan Research University. ...

Features and offerings

New Visitor Center

Generally speaking, the property is divided into two areas--the arboretum and the natural area. The arboretum features formal and informal plant collections and various modern facilities, including handicapped accessible restrooms. Other arboretum features include numerous walking paths; a visitor's center, cafe, and gift shop; education center; and four lakes. The natural area contains most of Bernheim's hiking trails, and is primarily a beech-maple forest with access via paved roads. There are over 35 miles (56.3 km) of hiking trails and scenic fire-roads, including the 13.3 mile (21.4 km) Millennium Trail and the 3.2 mile (5.1 km) paved Hike-Bike Pike. One short trail, the aptly named Fire Tower Loop, leads to a metal observation tower that is often open to climb via stairs. Hiking trails range in difficulty from "casual" short walks to strenuous jaunts designed for "the more serious hiker," per Bernheim's website.^[1] The Millenium Trail is by far the longest and most challenging; as a result Bernheim asks that hikers set out before certain times in the morning (the deadline varies by season), as well as register at the visitor's center prior to starting the hike. In 2005, a hiker died of a heat stroke while attempting to complete the Millenium Trail.^[2] Image File history File linksMetadata Bernheim_Visitor_Center. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Bernheim_Visitor_Center. ...

Bernheim is open daily from 7 a.m. until sunset, the exceptions being Christmas day (December 25) and New Year's day (January 1). The visitor's center, gift shop, and art gallery are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Activities one can engage in at Bernheim include walking, hiking, picnicking, birdwatching, bicycling, plant identification, photography, fishing, and special events. Although overnight camping was once allowed in a designated campground, it is no longer permitted. Bernheim is dog friendly (dogs must remain on a leash at all times, and are prohibited in certain areas). The education center offers programs for school and other groups (advanced reservations are required). A live wildlife exhibit area for orphaned and injured animals is maintained adjacent to the education center. In 2005, a new visitor's center was opened and is considered to be a revolutionary eco-friendly design. The center is constructed of recycled materials and has live plantings on the roof. The parking lot for the center was specifically located so that mushrooms could absorb contaminants that cars emit so they wouldn't affect the water streams nearby. Christmas is a Christian holiday held on December 25 which celebrates the birth of Jesus. ... Ecology is sometimes used as an incorrect synonym for the natural environment. ...

Bernheim offers memberships that include free year-round admission, discounts on educational programs, and subscription to a quarterly newsletter. As of January 2006, the least expensive memberships were $25 for individuals and $35 for families. For non-members, admission is free on weekdays, but a fee is charged on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays ($5 for each passenger car, mini-van, or motorcycle; $10 for passenger vans and recreational vehicles; and $20 for buses).

Arboretum

Daffodils in bloom near the Big Prairie Overlook in Bernheim's arboretum

The property includes a 240-acre (0.97 km²) arboretum containing over 1,900 labeled species and cultivars of trees, shrubs, and other plants. The arboretum includes over 185 cultivars of American holly species. Other major collections include maples, crab apples, conifers (including dwarf conifers), oaks, buckeyes, ginkgoes, ornamental pears, and dogwoods. Specific attractions within the arboretum include the sun and shade trail, quiet garden, and garden pavilion. The original design for the arboretum was adopted in 1935, and has continued to be refined and improved over the years. In 1994, legislation was passed designating Bernheim as Kentucky's official arboretum. As is the case in most arboreta, the collection of leaves or clippings is not permitted. Image File history File links Bernheim_Daffodils. ... Image File history File links Bernheim_Daffodils. ... In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biodiversity. ... This Osteospermum Pink Whirls is a successful cultivar. ... Species Ilex ambigua - Sand Holly Ilex amelanchier - Swamp Holly Ilex aquifolium - European Holly Ilex bioritsensis Ilex buergeri Ilex canariensis - Small-leaved Holly Ilex cassine - Dahoon Holly Ilex centrochinensis Ilex ciliospinosa Ilex colchica Ilex collina Ilex corallina Ilex coriacea Ilex cornuta - Chinese Holly Ilex crenata - Japanese Holly Ilex cyrtura Ilex decidua... Range of Maples Species See List of Acer species Maples are trees or shrubs of the genus Acer. ... Species - Southern Crab - Siberian Crabapple - Sweet Crabapple - Apple - Japanese Crabapple - Oregon Crab - Chinese Crabapple - Prairie Crab - Asian Wild Apple - European Wild Apple Malus, the apples, is a genus of about 30-35 species of small deciduous trees or shrubs in the family Rosaceae, including most importantly the domesticated Orchard or... Orders & Families Cordaitales † Pinales   Pinaceae - Pine family   Araucariaceae - Araucaria family   Podocarpaceae - Yellow-wood family   Sciadopityaceae - Umbrella-pine family   Cupressaceae - Cypress family   Cephalotaxaceae - Plum-yew family   Taxaceae - Yew family Vojnovskyales † Voltziales † The conifers, division Pinophyta, are one of 13 or 14 division level taxa within the Kingdom Plantae. ... Species See List of Quercus species The term oak can be used as part of the common name of any of several hundred species of trees and shrubs in the genus Quercus, and some related genera, notably Cyclobalanopsis and Lithocarpus. ... Buckeye may refer to: The name used for several species of trees of the genus Aesculus, or the related Mexican Buckeye (genus Ungnadia). ... Binomial name Ginkgo biloba L. The Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), frequently misspelled as Gingko, and sometimes known as the Maidenhair Tree, is a unique tree with no close living relatives. ... Species About 30 species; see text Pears are trees of the genus Pyrus and the juicy fruit of that tree, edible in some species. ... Subgenera Cornus Benthamidia Swida The Dogwoods comprise a group of 30-50 species of deciduous woody plants (shrubs and trees) in the family Cornaceae, divided into one to nine genera or subgenera (depending on botanical interpretation). ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

The arboretum's holly collection is among the best in North America. It is officially named the Buddy Hubbuch Holly Collection, after Clarence E. "Buddy" Hubbuch, Jr. (deceased as of 2000), Bernheim's first horticulture director who oversaw the planting of the collection over his 33 year tenure (1962 to 1995). It contains more than 700 specimens representing more than 350 individual species and cultivars from all across the northern hemisphere. These include 176 American Holly (Ilex opaca) cultivars, 44 selections of Japanese Holly (I. crenata), more than 50 cultivars of deciduous hollies (I. decidua, I. verticillata, I. serrata, and hybrids), and 19 cultivars of Inkberry (I. glabra) along with many unique hybrids. This article is about the year 2000. ... Binomial name Ilex opaca American holly (Ilex opaca) is a small to medium evergreen tree in the family Aquifoliaceae, with red berries that persist into winter. ...

Isaac W. Bernheim's vision

Bronze statue "Let There Be Light" by the artist George Grey Barnard, located at the gravesite of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Wolfe Bernheim

Some people intimately acquainted with Issac W. Bernheim's original vision believe the current strategic direction of the forest has grown significantly disparate from what was originally intentioned. Before his death, Bernheim laid out his goals for the forest in a letter to the trustees and directors of the I. W. Bernheim Foundation. That letter, dated August 30, 1939, set the following goals: Image File history File linksMetadata IMG_33432. ...

• No discussion of religion or politics, no trading or trafficking. . .
• No distinction will be shown between rich or poor, white or colored.
• My vision embraces an edifice, beautiful in design, which will rise at some carefully selected spot within the area. It may be made of marble or of native stone. . . . Within it there will be an art gallery . . . . Therein there will be busts in bronze of men and women whose names have risen to places of distinctive honor in Kentucky – a lasting and ever-present inspiration to the youths who gaze upon their faces.
• A museum of natural history containing specimens of every animal that is classified in the wild life of this hemisphere will be provided for.
• . . . a tall steel pole rearing its top far from the ground, and from it will float the American Flag, to be the center at intervals of patriotic gatherings, especially of children, who will be retold the story of liberty.
• To all I send the invitation to come . . . to re-create their lives in the enjoyment of nature . . . in the park which I have dedicated to the use of the people, and which I hope will be kept for ever free.

Bernheim was a true visionary, and he himself wrote that "nothing is static in this world." He understood the changing nature of the world, and the need for changing thought in the context of time. That being said, many of Bernheim's goals were very specific and clear, and transcend changing contexts. To date, no edifice has been constructed to honor famous Kentuckians. A wildlife museum such as was described by Bernheim did at once exist, but has been re-arranged in recent years to serve as an administrative/education center, and static wildlife exhibits have mostly been removed (in the forest's defense, many of the taxidermied exhibits were deteriorating). And, an admission fee has been established on weekends, which some argue is contrary to the vision that "no distinction will be shown between rich or poor" and that the forest "will be kept for ever free." Bernheim administrators have stated they interpret Mr. Bernheim's statement as being free from debt.

Bernheim's concept for an art gallery does, in large part, exist. The administrative/education center does host displays of local and regional artwork in various mediums. Bernheim also has an "Artist-in-Residence" program. This fellowship program typically offers housing and a stipend to artists who help promote the artistic aspects of Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest. Artists are expected to interact with the public in workshops or gallery open houses. Past artists have worked in photography, paint, sculpture, and writing. Sculptures in metal, stone, wood, and other mediums are sprinkled around the forest property.

Bernheim wrote in his 1939 letter that "the grave has no voice." But, he went on to say "may I not express the hope and fervent prayer that my wishes outlined in its different sections be respected as much as humanly possible." In his 1929 autobiography, "The Closing Chapters of a Busy Life," Bernheim also wrote that "I am comforted in the firm belief that the good a man does lives after him."

References

1. ^ Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest > Plan Your Visit > Bernheim Trails. Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest. Retrieved on 2006-09-19.
2. ^ Louisville Man Dies From Heat Stroke While Hiking In Bullitt County. WorldNow and WAVE. Retrieved on 2006-09-19.

2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... September 19 is the 262nd day of the year (263rd in leap years). ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... September 19 is the 262nd day of the year (263rd in leap years). ...

See also

• List of attractions and events in Louisville
• List of botanical gardens in the United States

Statues of fancifully painted horses can currently be seen around Louisville. ... This list of botanical gardens in the United States is intended to include all significant botanical gardens and arboretums in the United States of America. ...

External links

• Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest Official Website