Established in 1842, Ballard County is located in western Kentucky where the Ohio and Mississippi rivers meet. It was named in honor of Capt. Bland Ballard. It offers a variety of recreational activities including golf, tennis, hunting, fishing, camping, and water sports. While visiting, check out several museums and historical sites, including the West Kentucky Veteran and Patriot Museum, The Barlow House Museum, Wickliffe Mounds, and Fort Jefferson. 

Four Rivers Watershed Watch is a non-profit dedicated to cooperation among citizens, educators, and agencies to keep our waterways clean. They integrate programs, tools, and resources to protect and restore the ecological structure and function of watersheds in the four rivers region of Kentucky. They are made up of volunteers and coordinators who regularly collect water quality data.  

Hancock Biological Station provides students and scientists with a year-round facility as a base to conduct a wide variety of field research and opportunities to attend field-oriented classes. They are located on the shores of Kentucky Lake in western Kentucky, 16 miles from Murray. The area is known for having diverse aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems that contain one of the world's largest densities of major rivers and reservoirs. 

The Jackson Purchase Resource Conservation and Development program is a 501c non-profit, non-governmental corporation serving western Kentucky. They aim to sustain our natural resources, improve quality of life, and enhance economic vitality. The JPF offers project planning, partnership development, and grant writing. Their main fields of interest include land conservation, land management, water management, and community development. 

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources helps maintain and provide resources for the public of Kentucky. They are a great resource for hunting and fishing licenses and educational outreach. They offer three summer camps that have been operational since 1946 and provide outdoor education to students in grades 4-6. Kentucky Wild is a membership-based program that directly supports wildlife facing threats in our state. 

Established in 1924, Kentucky State Parks provides a sustainable system of parks. They strive to deliver quality programs, amenities, and services that benefit the commonwealth. It is their goal to preserve the historic and natural integrity of our parks. 

The Department of Biological Sciences at Murray State University's purpose is to prepare students for graduate or professional school, employment, and teaching positions in biology. We combine lecture and hands-on experience to aid, as well as a comprehensive set of biology courses to help students become well-rounded individuals. 

Fort Donelson National Battlefield is a must for any history buff. They offer beautiful views of the Cumberland River along with historical insight into the battle that led to the Union capture of Nashville. The battle fought there was the one that made Ulysses S. Grant a household name. The for also serves as a final resting place for the men and women of our armed forces.  

Paducah is located in western Kentucky and offers a variety of venues for shopping, dining, and entertainment. Historical monuments, cemeteries, and memorials are found throughout the city. They also offer recreational opportunities including a public pool, skatepark, dog parks, boat launch, parks, and golf courses. 

The Inland Waterways Museum, previously known as the River Discovery Center, is located in Paducah’s oldest surviving antebellum building. This building overlooks the confluence of the Ohio and Tennessee rivers. They provide educational experiences that give insight into the heritage of inland waterways. They have something for everyone and offer discounts for students, seniors, and veterans. 

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency serves sportsmen, wildlife enthusiasts, and boaters. They work hard to create management practices that provide positive results to our natural resources and our citizens. 

The Nature Conservancy is here to help create a more sustainable future for our planet. They operate over 100 marine conservation projects, protect over 125 million acres of land, work with over 70 countries, and have a staff of over 400 scientists. They support local projects in Kentucky with the help of donations and collaboration.

The Community & Economic Development Initiative (CEDIK) is housed within the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment at the University of Kentucky. CEDIK "helps communities resolve locally determined problems with objective information and educational assistance". 

UT extension offers the 95 counties of Tennessee opportunities to improve their quality of life and to solve issues using research-backed agricultural methods. They also help with educational outreach and 4-H development. 

The mission of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is to deliver vital engineering solutions, in collaboration with our partners, to secure our Nation, energize our economy, and reduce disaster risk.

Established in 1998, Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge (CRNWR) encompasses one of the region's largest remaining bottomland hardwood forests. Bottomland hardwoods are one of the most productive ecosystems on land and offer an abundance and diversity of wildlife. CRNWR provides ample hunting, fishing, and recreational opportunities. 

Established in 1946, the Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge encompasses over 51,00 acres of forest, farmland, and grassland. The TNWR refuge is split into three distinct sections, all offering refuge for migratory birds needing a place to rest or nest. They also have several hiking trails and educational programs for the public. They provide plenty of bird-watching opportunities and pride themselves in how they manage waterfowl.

Land between the lakes is the getaway you’ve been looking for. They offer miles of hiking trails, horse trails, hunting, ATV routes, camping, and geocaching. They offer activities for the whole family. Take time to visit the Woodlands Nature Station or Elk and Bison Prairie and experience wildlife up close and personal. Visit the Homeplace to learn about our cultural heritage. Finally, the planetarium offers shows daily. 

The Watershed Studies Institute maintains several long-term databases. Data are made available to scientists and students interested in reservoir and ecosystem phenomena. Because of the significant increase in knowledge regarding aquatic ecosystems dynamics, the formulation of management strategies, and the importance of this field of study to future management of our nation's surface water resources, the WSI created the M.S. in Watershed Science degree program.