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, located at #1 Sportsman's Lane, Frankfort, KY. Salato opened with a handful of indoor exhibits and only four outdoor exhibits, rocky mountain elk, white-tailed deer, bald eagle and plains bison. Annual visitation the first year was a bit more than 35,000. Over time, as new exhibits were created, visitation significantly increased. In 2008, the Center began closing the winter months.
This allowed for increased attention to new projects, assuring a top-quality experience for visitors, when they return in early spring. Average annual visitation is currently over 50,000, most of whom live in the Bluegrass Region of the state. Its purpose is to educate the public about the importance of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, and the role of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources in their responsible management, conservation, and use.
The Salato Wildlife Education Center is funded through the sale of hunting and fishing licenses and boater registrations, and through donations to the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Foundation, a private, 501(c)3 organization that raises funds to support conservation education in Kentucky.