Extension
It Starts With Us
Author: Jeremy Williams
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
The Spongy Moth is a destructive insect that prefers to feed on of oak trees but will also feed on other tree species such as poplar, maple, basswood, and apple, to name a few. While it is not currently established in Kentucky, vigilance is needed. The Spongy Moth is able to move long distances via fire wood, vehicles, and household goods, allowing it to make establishment in an area. With the help of the University of Kentucky Department of Entomology, the Harlan County Extens
Author: Susan Fox
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
Western Kentucky Master Naturalist ClassOur natural habitat is increasingly facing pressure from human expansion and growth, invasive species and climate change. People need to understand the changes that are occurring including significant declines in many bird species, insect species including honey and native bees, losses in the habitats and ecosystems needed to sustain wildlife and genetic diversity, along with the pressures of climate change. Twenty-eight people from across Kentucky co
Author: Lacey Kessell
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
The problemIt is estimated that Kentucky loses at least 130 acres of habitat to development every day. More that 99% grasslands, 80% of wetlands, more than 50% of forests have all been lost since Kentucky was originally settled. These statistics don't even include the aquatic habitat that has been forever destroyed by pollution, erosion and other environmental issues.Development and habitat loss has caught the attention of many community members and raised concerns across the county. &
Author: Kelsey Marcum
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
The problemThe educational program responseThe participants/target audienceOther partners (if applicable)Program impact or participant response.
Author: Chelsey Anderson
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
In 2019, a local producer signed up to be part of a white oak initiative through the University of Kentucky. Acorns were collected from the producers’ land in Cumberland County as the first step. Those acorns were then propagated, and seedlings formed. From those, they have established 20 progeny tests which was phase two, scattered throughout the eastern United States. Now, in phase three, the project is establishing seedling and grafted seed orchards. One of the grafts from a twig from t
Author: DJ Scully
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
ReNewport Executive Director, Josh Tuning, said “I wanted to share some good news we got at the end of last week as the press release for it should be going out later today. Earlier in the year, ReNewport, City of Newport, Urban Canopy Works and the Westside Citizens Coalition/Buena Vista Historic Foundation teamed up to apply for funding through the Inflation Reduction Act Urban Forestry Program with ReNewport being the grantee. We applied for $1,000,000 in funding, knowing it would be a
Author: Robert Kirby
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
15 loggers met their requirement of 6 hours of continuing education every 3 years to renew their Master Logger Certification by attending a webinar at the Knox County Extension Office. The Webinars were 2 nights 6:00 - 9:00P.M. for 3 hours each which allowed the loggers to attend and meet their requirements and not miss days of work.
Author: Jacob Ison
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
The Kentucky Master Logger program is a comprehensive state-wide education and training program for timber harvesting professionals. Kentucky Master Loggers feed the 13.87 billion dollar forest industry in Kentucky. The Kentucky Master Logger Program is headquartered in the Cooperative Extension Service, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources Extension Program. Since its inception in
Author: Lacey Kessell
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
Decorating with Greens was created to show the community you could create beautiful wreaths, swags, and centerpieces using evergreen plants from the landscape. The community learns the types of evergreens that you can grow in our local landscape and gains the skills to create an arrangement. Participants for the program ranged between the ages of 2-70.A total of 262 individuals were reached during these programs (156 youth & 106 adults). Programs ranged from community-wide
Author: Jeremy Williams
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
Harlan County is comprised of 259,784 acres of forest land in which 93% is privately owned. Kentucky’s timber industry depends on Certified Master Loggers to keep the timber economy strong. Kentucky Master Logger certification allows the loggers to work with landowners and saw mills to get the product to market. Without the certification, those loggers can’t perform their jobs and meet the objectives of the industry. The Master Logger must receive six hours o
Author: Jody Thompson
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
The Kentucky State University Forestry and Natural Resources program designed and implemented a invasive plant management demonstration project at Capital View Park, Frankfort, KY. This project was designed to aid a local partner, the Frankfort/Franklin County Joint Task Force on Invasives, by providing a reference management site to inform local, collaborative efforts.Approximately 4-acres of severely impacted, publicly-accessible forest were delineated due to:Designation as a Priority 1 site a
