Virtual Adventures - Brownsboro Alliance

Nature provides all kinds of experiences for our senses, and the Brownsboro Trails are no exception in engaging your senses with the best of what nature has to offer. The difficult year of 2020 provided unusual and challenging circumstances for all of us, and Brownsboro Alliance was not able to host events as planned on the trails for many months. While we waited to offer you a fresh breeze through the woods or the crunch of leaves under your feet, we created something new in store for you…

Thanks to the gracious support of the Arbonne Flourish Charitable Foundation, we are able to offer Brownsboro Trails to you in unique and different ways to enlighten, encourage, and awe you with nature. “Virtual Adventures on the Brownsboro Trails” present a unique opportunity to get an upclose look at nature, from anywhere! View our videos below, and browse the extensive list of resources for further study and exploration. We’ll add more adventures as they become available, so come back again soon to see what’s new!

Tree Identification with Chris O'Bryan (Part 1 of 2)

Arborist Chris O’Bryan explores sights on the trails: identifying simple and compound leaves found on the many trees and plants in the woodlands, and using the acronym MADCap Horse to help you retain names of the most common tree families.

About Chris O'Bryan

Chris O’Bryan is co-owner of Limbwalker Tree Service. He graduated from DuPont Manual High School in 1994, earned a Bachelor of Science in Forestry from the University of Kentucky, and a Masters of Forest Resources from Clemson University. His published paper: “Economic Patterns in US Arboriculture” still defines the national arboricultural industry. Chris has been an ISA Certified Arborist® for fifteen years, is a five-time Kentucky tree climbing champion, and a former president of the Kentucky Arborists Association. His newest project is the community tree-planting program Love Louisville Trees, which he started with Louisville Grows in 2013.

Additional Resources

Simple & Compound Leaves
Differences between Simple & Compound Leaves
Botanical Illustrations
Comparison Chart

MADCap Horse Tree Identification
ID the Tree!
MADCap Horse Explained

Suggested Activities
Tree-mendous Twigs
Tree Identification Made Easy?

Tree Identification with Chris O'Bryan (Part 2 of 2)

Arborist Chris O’Bryan explores sights on the trails: identifying simple and compound leaves found on the many trees and plants in the woodlands, and using the acronym MADCap Horse to help you retain names of the most common tree families.

About Chris O'Bryan

Chris O’Bryan is co-owner of Limbwalker Tree Service. He graduated from DuPont Manual High School in 1994, earned a Bachelor of Science in Forestry from the University of Kentucky, and a Masters of Forest Resources from Clemson University. His published paper: “Economic Patterns in US Arboriculture” still defines the national arboricultural industry. Chris has been an ISA Certified Arborist® for fifteen years, is a five-time Kentucky tree climbing champion, and a former president of the Kentucky Arborists Association. His newest project is the community tree-planting program Love Louisville Trees, which he started with Louisville Grows in 2013.

Additional Resources

Simple & Compound Leaves
Differences between Simple & Compound Leaves
Botanical Illustrations
Comparison Chart

MADCap Horse Tree Identification
ID the Tree!
MADCap Horse Explained

Suggested Activities
Tree-mendous Twigs
Tree Identification Made Easy?

Forest Fungi with Chris O'Bryan

Arborist Chris O’Bryan talks about fungi being the primary digesters of the decaying ecosystem breaking it down to supply nutrients to trees and soil. Check out his video!

About Chris O'Bryan

Chris O’Bryan is co-owner of Limbwalker Tree Service. He graduated from DuPont Manual High School in 1994, earned a Bachelor of Science in Forestry from the University of Kentucky, and a Masters of Forest Resources from Clemson University. His published paper: “Economic Patterns in US Arboriculture” still defines the national arboricultural industry. Chris has been an ISA Certified Arborist® for fifteen years, is a five-time Kentucky tree climbing champion, and a former president of the Kentucky Arborists Association. His newest project is the community tree-planting program Love Louisville Trees, which he started with Louisville Grows in 2013.

Additional Resources

Meet the Chicken of the Woods
Chasing the Chicken of the Woods
How are Bacteria a Part of Recycling & Biodegrading?
Fungi Habitat, Decomposition, and Recycling

What is Environmental Sustainability?

Learn from Josie and Caroline Sears about environmental sustainability & land preservation, and how Brownsboro Alliance fulfills its mission through through these conservation efforts.

About Josie and Caroline Sears

Sisters Josie and Caroline Sears have hiked the Brownsboro Trails with their parents since they were toddlers. They have a love for learning and exploring the outdoors through hiking, camping, and geocaching.

Additional Resources

What’s the Difference between Conservation and Preservation?
Conservation: History and Future
Kentucky Natural Resource Divisions
From the Woods Kentucky Radio Program
Sustainable Forestry Initiative on “Conservation”
Economic Benefits of Trails
How to Save Trails

Horse 101 with Debbie Stevens

Horse owner Debbie Stevens demonstrates some techniques for establishing a trusting relationship between human and horse. Horses and riders are welcome on the Brownsboro Alliance Trail system.

About Debbie Stevens

Debbie Stevens lives in Brownsboro on a small farm with her family, dog and seven horses. She works outside the home as a landlord and investor. As a founding member of Brownsboro Alliance, Debbie has been instrumental in helping to build the beautiful trail system that is known as Brownsboro Alliance Trail Association. You’ll often find Debbie on the BATA Trails hiking, riding, or blazing new trails!

Additional Resources

Click on the links below to learn more about horses and how to communicate with these fascinating creatures!

A Horse’s Five Senses, or Six?
A Horse’s Body Language
Horse Talk
Equine Body Language
Horse Behavior & Body Language
Equine Behavior How to Speak Horse
45 Amazing Horse Facts

Meditation Moment on the Brownsboro Trails

Join Jenny Bell for a peaceful meditation at one of her favorite spots on the Brownsboro Trail.

About Jenny Bell

Jenny Bell is a poet, seeker and artist. For a decade she has immersed herself in personal study of contemplative practices and ancient wisdom traditions. Most recently receiving training under Peter Buecker-Integrative Mind Body Medicine. She teaches Meditation at Drepung Gomang Center for Engaging Compassion. She lives and works on a horse farm in the rolling hills of Oldham County with her husband and their animal friends.

Additional Resources

Health Benefits of Being in Nature
How Immersion in Nature Benefits Your Health
10 Reasons Why Being in Nature is Good for You
Positive Effects of Nature
Forests and Well-Being Infographic

What is Meditation:
Benefits of Meditation
How Meditation Can Improve Your Mental Health
Meditation Definition
Meditating Outside in Nature

History of Brownsboro

Learn about Brownsboro’s history from Dr. Nancy Stearns Theiss, Executive Director of the Oldham County Historical Society.

About Dr. Nancy Stearns Theiss

Nancy Stearns Theiss is a native of Oldham County where she grew up on the family farm and married her childhood sweetheart. She has numerous degrees in education, biology and environmental studies. She has taught in the public school system, worked for the Kentucky Department of Education and the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife. She has been director of several non-profits and currently works as the Executive Director of the Oldham County Historical Society. She has written history columns for the Louisville Courier-Journal, The Oldham Era, articles and books and received numerous recognitions for her various endeavors. An avid naturalist and historian, Nancy believes that knowing your community and the people, places and living things (past and present) around you, gives you an understanding of your importance and place in the world.

Additional Resources

Brownsboro Master Plan – History pp. 14-16
Biography of Richard James Oglesby
Famous People of Oldham County
History of Harrods Creek Baptist Church
More about Moses Kuykendall, Brownsboro, Kentucky
Article about Dr. Stanton Pierce Bryan

Click Here to Experience Sounds of the Brownsboro Trails

Sounds of the Brownsboro Trails

Awaken your senses with a Soundscapes recording from the Brownsboro Trails! Listen to the sounds on the Brownsboro Trails, recorded just before dawn throughout the next 24 hours. Experience the sounds of wildlife, hear a refreshing breeze through the forest, and take in the calming sound of streams — all along the Brownsboro Trails.

About Luke Pearson, Lukewarm Sound

Acoustic ecologist Luke Pearson has a passion for wildlife, with his work revolving around sound recording & design, bioacoustics & soundscape research, and ecological conservation. He studied production and sound design at Berklee College of Music, and is currently studying wildlife and conservation biology the Warner College of Natural Resources at Colorado State University. Through his production company Lukewarm Sound, Luke provides sound design, field recordings, acoustic monitoring, and other services that promote a more natural world; a world of lukewarm sound.

Additional Resources

A timeline has been provided below with certain sounds identified for your pleasure. Along with those identifications, links have been provided for you to view and learn more of the insect/animal/bird making the sound:

Sound Identification and Timeline

Grasshoppers & Crickets
Cicadas
Coyotes
Screech Owl
Whippoorwhills
Wood Thrush
Hummingbirds
Acadian Flycatcher
Kentucky Woodpeckers

Additional Resources:
Kentucky Insects
Kentucky Critter Files
Printable Resources for Educators and Parents

Tips for a Safe Hike

Here are some tips for a safe hike in the woods, as presented by Andrew and William, scouts in Troop 109 in Oldham County, KY.

About the Scouts

Drew Stearman is an Eagle Scout candidate in Troop 109. He plays lacrosse, football, and wrestling for North Oldham High School.

William Crum is also a member of Troop 109, and is an avid backpacker.

Common Hiking Mistakes

Here are some of the more common mistake new hikers make when preparing for and going on a hike in the woods, as presented by Andrew and William, scouts in Troop 109 in Oldham County, KY.

About the Scouts

Drew Stearman is an Eagle Scout candidate in Troop 109. He plays lacrosse, football, and wrestling for North Oldham High School.

William Crum is also a member of Troop 109, and is an avid backpacker.

Audioscape: Stream

The Brownsboro Alliance Trail Association partnered with Andrea-Jane Cornell to produce this soundscape captured on the BATA trail in Oldham County, Kentucky.

About Andrea-Jane Cornell

Andrea-Jane Cornell holds an MA in Media Studies, with a specialization in soundscape studies and acoustic ecology. A gleaner of sonorities, her solo works transform and transmit sonic material over radio frequencies and through live performance. The act of listening resides at the core of her practice which seeks to evoke the elusive Sharawadji effect: a fleeting sonic phenomenon arising when the unexpected occurs in a soundscape, creating a rupture or a moment of suspended time and infinite possibility.

Her meditative solo work has been featured on multiple compilations, (NNA Tapes Centennial box set, New Adventures in Sound Art, World Listening Day, Total Eclipse of the Charts, World Radio Day), broadcast and performed live over the airwaves nationally and internationally (WFMU, WGXC, CKUT, Radio Corax, Kunstradio) and performed live at Radio Revolten Festival (Halle, DE), Signal and Noise (Vancouver), Modern Fuel Vapors Series (Kingston), and Free103point9 (New York).

Cornell is a member of Le fruit vert, a hymnotic duo founded in 2011, with whom she has released two records: Passiflore (2013: Los discos enfantasmes, 2018 reissue: them there), and Paon Perdu (2017: three:four). She also works alongside film and video artists, composing and mixing soundtracks for Sabrina Ratté (Domestic Landscape, Floralia), Allison Moore (Wunderkammer), and Mike Rollo (Eidolon, Farewell Transmission).

Audioscape: Night

The Brownsboro Alliance Trail Association partnered with Andrea-Jane Cornell to produce this soundscape captured on the BATA trail in Oldham County, Kentucky.

About Andrea-Jane Cornell

Andrea-Jane Cornell holds an MA in Media Studies, with a specialization in soundscape studies and acoustic ecology. A gleaner of sonorities, her solo works transform and transmit sonic material over radio frequencies and through live performance. The act of listening resides at the core of her practice which seeks to evoke the elusive Sharawadji effect: a fleeting sonic phenomenon arising when the unexpected occurs in a soundscape, creating a rupture or a moment of suspended time and infinite possibility.

Her meditative solo work has been featured on multiple compilations, (NNA Tapes Centennial box set, New Adventures in Sound Art, World Listening Day, Total Eclipse of the Charts, World Radio Day), broadcast and performed live over the airwaves nationally and internationally (WFMU, WGXC, CKUT, Radio Corax, Kunstradio) and performed live at Radio Revolten Festival (Halle, DE), Signal and Noise (Vancouver), Modern Fuel Vapors Series (Kingston), and Free103point9 (New York).

Cornell is a member of Le fruit vert, a hymnotic duo founded in 2011, with whom she has released two records: Passiflore (2013: Los discos enfantasmes, 2018 reissue: them there), and Paon Perdu (2017: three:four). She also works alongside film and video artists, composing and mixing soundtracks for Sabrina Ratté (Domestic Landscape, Floralia), Allison Moore (Wunderkammer), and Mike Rollo (Eidolon, Farewell Transmission).

Audioscape: Meadow

The Brownsboro Alliance Trail Association partnered with Andrea-Jane Cornell to produce this soundscape captured on the BATA trail in Oldham County, Kentucky.

About Andrea-Jane Cornell

Andrea-Jane Cornell holds an MA in Media Studies, with a specialization in soundscape studies and acoustic ecology. A gleaner of sonorities, her solo works transform and transmit sonic material over radio frequencies and through live performance. The act of listening resides at the core of her practice which seeks to evoke the elusive Sharawadji effect: a fleeting sonic phenomenon arising when the unexpected occurs in a soundscape, creating a rupture or a moment of suspended time and infinite possibility.

Her meditative solo work has been featured on multiple compilations, (NNA Tapes Centennial box set, New Adventures in Sound Art, World Listening Day, Total Eclipse of the Charts, World Radio Day), broadcast and performed live over the airwaves nationally and internationally (WFMU, WGXC, CKUT, Radio Corax, Kunstradio) and performed live at Radio Revolten Festival (Halle, DE), Signal and Noise (Vancouver), Modern Fuel Vapors Series (Kingston), and Free103point9 (New York).

Cornell is a member of Le fruit vert, a hymnotic duo founded in 2011, with whom she has released two records: Passiflore (2013: Los discos enfantasmes, 2018 reissue: them there), and Paon Perdu (2017: three:four). She also works alongside film and video artists, composing and mixing soundtracks for Sabrina Ratté (Domestic Landscape, Floralia), Allison Moore (Wunderkammer), and Mike Rollo (Eidolon, Farewell Transmission).

Audioscape: Horses

The Brownsboro Alliance Trail Association partnered with Andrea-Jane Cornell to produce this soundscape captured on the BATA trail in Oldham County, Kentucky.

About Andrea-Jane Cornell

Andrea-Jane Cornell holds an MA in Media Studies, with a specialization in soundscape studies and acoustic ecology. A gleaner of sonorities, her solo works transform and transmit sonic material over radio frequencies and through live performance. The act of listening resides at the core of her practice which seeks to evoke the elusive Sharawadji effect: a fleeting sonic phenomenon arising when the unexpected occurs in a soundscape, creating a rupture or a moment of suspended time and infinite possibility.

Her meditative solo work has been featured on multiple compilations, (NNA Tapes Centennial box set, New Adventures in Sound Art, World Listening Day, Total Eclipse of the Charts, World Radio Day), broadcast and performed live over the airwaves nationally and internationally (WFMU, WGXC, CKUT, Radio Corax, Kunstradio) and performed live at Radio Revolten Festival (Halle, DE), Signal and Noise (Vancouver), Modern Fuel Vapors Series (Kingston), and Free103point9 (New York).

Cornell is a member of Le fruit vert, a hymnotic duo founded in 2011, with whom she has released two records: Passiflore (2013: Los discos enfantasmes, 2018 reissue: them there), and Paon Perdu (2017: three:four). She also works alongside film and video artists, composing and mixing soundtracks for Sabrina Ratté (Domestic Landscape, Floralia), Allison Moore (Wunderkammer), and Mike Rollo (Eidolon, Farewell Transmission).