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Mammoth Cave Biosphere Region

two people look down at the entrance of a cave
The Mammoth Cave Biosphere Region includes 909,328 acres in Mammoth Cave National Park and the six surrounding counties.
Explore the Mammoth Cave Biosphere Region's spectacular beauty where people and organizations are connecting to nature and improving regional environmental quality. The world's longest cave system, forests, river valleys, farmlands, and towns and throusands of years of human history earned this area the recognition of International Biosphere Reserve. You can learn more about this exciting Biosphere Region's accomplishments in a variety of ways.
The Biosphere Region's 25-member Advisory Council has representatives from federal, state, and local governments as well as community groups and local universities, all working voluntarily to improve the economic and cultural well-being of local people in ways that are compatible with the internationally renowned karst landscape, particularly with respect to preventing groundwater pollution. The Mammoth Cave National Park, the Barren River Area Development District, and Western Kentucky University have renewed a cooperative agreement to promote conservation of water resources and biodiversity, economic development for healthy people and a healthy economy, and support for research and education.

The Mammoth Cave Biosphere Region is one of 28 sites in the US Biosphere Network.

Last updated: April 12, 2021