JOE LACEFIELD, who has been a wildlife biologist for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources for more than 30 years, is pictured holding black bear cubs at a den site in Harlan County. After locating the mom’s den site and tranquilizing her, he said they weighed the cubs, inserted tags under their skin like people do with pets, and placed them back in the den, which was simply under a fallen tree. “This work was the first time I got to assist with bear den work, so not a usual part of my job,” he said. (Photo courtesy of Joe Lacefield)
Woodford Countian Joe Lacefield was recently honored for his lifelong service as a wildlife biologist and his lasting impact on conservation in Kentucky as the 2026 recipient of the Lauren E. Schaaf Memorial Award. […]