BOWLING GREEN HIKING FIELD GUIDE
Inventory the Wild: Documenting Lost River Cave’s Living Tapestry
A hands-on citizen-science hike across Lost River Cave’s 72 acres — brief training, then solo trail work using the iNaturalist app to record plants, animals and fungi for conservation.
Inventory the Wild: Documenting Lost River Cave’s Living Tapestry.
Adventure brief
Inventory the Wild: Documenting Lost River Cave’s Living Tapestry
On the 72 acres of Lost River Cave near Bowling Green, volunteers translate curiosity into conservation: after a short, practical training you take to the trails to catalog the park’s plants, animals, insects and fungi. The Species Inventory program turns everyday hikers into data collectors, using the iNaturalist smartphone app to document what lives in the park and build an evidence base for stewardship.
Discover the vibrant ecosystems of Lost River Cave in Bowling Green, Kentucky, on this unique Species Inventory adventure offered by Lost River Cave. After a quick, informative training session, you'll explore shaded trails while using the iNaturalist app to document a variety of plants, animals, and fungi. This hands-on experience allows you to actively contribute to vital conservation work by recording species in real time, helping scientists track biodiversity in the area. The gentle hike leads you through lush forest, alongside the river, and into caves where you can witness firsthand the thriving life supported by these natural habitats. Whether you're a nature enthusiast, citizen scientist, or just curious, this experience invites you to engage deeply with the environment and leave a positive impact. It’s a rewarding blend of technology, outdoor activity, and environmental stewardship—all set within the scenic backdrop of Kentucky’s remarkable karst landscapes.
Route Schematic
Itinerary route schematic
The activity follows a simple sequence: orientation, independent trail-based surveying, and recording your observations into iNaturalist.
Orientation & training
A brief training introduces the purpose of the inventory and how to use the iNaturalist app to document species.
Trail survey
Hike the park trails on your own, locating and photographing plants, animals, insects and fungi to log in the app.
Record submission
Submit your observations via the iNaturalist app so they join the inventory records for Lost River Cave.
Participants will hike the trails on their own after the provided training; contact Lost River Cave if you have specific accessibility or suitability questions.
What the day feels like
What the day feels like
The outing is straightforward and focused: a concise training sets you up with the protocol and the iNaturalist workflow, then you move onto the trails to make observations at your own pace. The work is observational and methodical — you find, photograph and log organisms, contributing real data to park stewardship while immersed in the natural rhythms of the site.
THE MISSION
Citizen science that counts
Participants collect essential species observations that feed conservation records for Lost River Cave, helping land managers understand and care for the park’s biodiversity.
THE FIELDWORK
A short training, then the trails
After a brief orientation you hike independently through the park’s trail network, documenting organisms you encounter using the iNaturalist app on your smartphone.
THE PLACE
A 72-acre living laboratory
The inventory covers the 72 acres of Lost River Cave, where plants, animals, insects and fungi together form the communities you’ll record and help protect.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this volunteer experience fits — and who might pause.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Bring a smartphone with the iNaturalist app installed so you can photograph and submit observations during the hike.
The Species Inventory is run by Lost River Cave at their Bowling Green, Kentucky property and covers the park’s 72 acres.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
Who runs the Species Inventory?
The program is operated by Lost River Cave.
Where does this activity take place?
The inventory takes place at Lost River Cave in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
What will I be doing during the inventory?
After a brief training you will hike the trails and document plants, animals, insects and fungi using the iNaturalist app.
What app do I use to record observations?
Observers use the iNaturalist smartphone app to photograph and submit species records.
How does my work help?
The observations you collect contribute essential data for managing and conserving the 72-acre Lost River Cave property.
How this guide was prepared
This field guide is synthesized using verified supplier specifications, route descriptions, and destination data. Some booking links may generate affiliate revenue for ADV Guides.
- Verified: 2026-08-07T13:16:04.087Z
Some booking links may generate revenue for ADV Guides or The Adventure Collective.
Availability, pricing, schedules and operating details can change.
Trip details and contextual sources were reviewed by ADV Guides Editorial.