Salato Wildlife Education Center

Welcome to Salato!
From the lush, eastern mountains to rolling prairies . . . from lowland marshes to clear running streams . . . you'll experience Kentucky's diverse regional ecosystems and the wealth of fish, plants, and animals that make this their home.

The James C. Salato Wildlife Education Center opened in October of 1995 on the grounds of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) "Game Farm" complex. It’s purpose is to educate the public about the importance of Kentucky’s wildlife resources, and the role of the KDFWR in their responsible management, conservation, and use. It includes the Wildlife Center, the Native Plant Greenhouses, and the Kentucky Alive Bus.

The Salato Center features aquariums, dioramas, interactive computer programs, and exhibits of native species and habitats restored to Kentucky by the KDFWR. Outside, visitors may see wildlife in large, natural enclosures, as well as several native plant gardens, wetlands, and habitats representative of each area of the state. Educational programs focus on native wildlife, habitat, and ecology, reach all age groups, and are designed to help teachers meet the standards of the Kentucky Education Reform Act. Admission is free. The Salato Center currently boasts an annual attendance of 97,000. It is funded by the sale of hunting and fishing licenses and by donations to the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

Recently, Toyota Motor Manufacturing donated $300,000 toward the creation of a Living Stream Exhibit at the Salato Center. Such donations help raise the money necessary to build exhibits while keeping the Center free to the public.

Click here to learn more about the Salato Wildlife Education Center.