Extension
It Starts With Us
Promotion of the wise use of our natural resources
Natural Resources and Environment
Chad Conway
Ag Water Quality Program
Forestry is a major industry in the county with 84.7% of the land being forested. Since the decline in mining, logging has increased slowly, but continues to increase. According to the latest CEDIK report Forestry, Agriculture, Fishing and Hunting are the emerging industries in Knott County. Presently, the citizens of the county have become more aware of the importance of, and possible financial gain from, their forested lands. However, education is needed to help improve the forest’s quality and improve citizen’s forest management knowledge. Another agriculture development area which continues to grow is pasture and hay land or reclaimed mine land.
Although, all of the natural resources of the county should be used wisely. Conservation practices must be learned by citizens in order to protect the valuable ecosystem of the county.
Like many other counties in the area, environmental concerns are of great importance to the county, with water quality being the #1 concern. Extension can help educate the public about the importance of the environment and about conservation methods that help improve environmental conditions. The County Extension Council, Agriculture & Natural Resources Council, County Creeks & Streams (Pride) Committee, Knott County Soil Conservation, and local leaders agreed that the above issues are of high importance and must be addressed. Major areas to address includes: Knowledge of better management practices related to protection of natural resources; Understanding of the environmental concerns in the area and improving forage quality on reclaimed land.
Understanding of the importance of good water quality; Knowledge of conservation efforts related to environment, wildlife and habitat; Knowledge that managing the forest could benefit the environment; and Learn the importance of recycling.
The people of Knott County understand the importance of the wise use of natural resources and strive to improve the environmental conditions in the area.
* Best Management Practices will be used for operations dealing with natural resources.
* An increased wise use of reclaimed lands that prevents erosion and improve soil quality.
* A decrease in polluting of water and an increase in water quality management.
* An increase in the management of forests as a renewable natural resource.
* Improvement of wildlife management and conservation of the environment.
* An increase of educational programming on Forest management.
* Knowledge of better management practices related to protection of natural resources.
* Knowledge of new methods to prevent damage to reclaimed lands.
* Understanding of the environmental concerns in the area.
* Understanding of the importance of good water quality.
* Knowledge of conservation efforts related to environment, wildlife and habitat
* Knowledge that managing the forest could benefit the environment.
* Learn the importance of recycling.
* Knowledge of best management practice for timber management
* An awareness of pollution and litter negative impact on our environment and community
* Knowledge that managing the forest could be a viable enterprise
Long- Term Outcome: Landowners begin to manage their woodlands
Indicator: Percentage of program participants that report change
Method : Evaluation and contacts
Inputs: UK Specialist, Woodland owner short course
Timeline: Year Round
Long-Term Outcomes: Number that has adopted improved practices that promotes environmental quality and proper management of our natural resources
Indicator: Percentage of program participants that show changes
Method: Surveys and Visual Observations
Timeline: Year round
Long-Term Outcomes: Number that will know and understand the importance of the wise use of natural resources and how we affect the environment
Indicator: Percentage of program participants that show changes, environmental control
Method: Surveys and Visual Observations
Timeline: Year round
Long-Term Outcomes: Number that will participate in recycling programs at home and/or school
Indicator: Percentage of program participants that show changes
Method: Surveys and Visual Observations
Timeline: Year round in schools
Long-Term Outcomes: Number that will take part in the county clean-up programs
Indicator: Percentage of program participants that show changes
Method: School educational programs
Timeline: Year round, county wide in schools and cleanups in April and October
Long-Term Outcomes: Number of participants grazing and producing hay on mine land.
Indicator: Increase in forage quality plus increase in acres.
Methods: Records that shows quality impact and increase acres utilized.
Timeline: Year 2019
Activity: Environmental Quality Program
Content or Curriculum: Discussion of environmental concerns of the area
Inputs: Agents
Date: September/October
Activity: County Wide Clean-ups
Content or Curriculum: Promotion and recruitment for local cleanup program of roadsides and streams
Inputs: Knott Co Creeks & Streams, community volunteers, agents
Date: Spring/Fall
Activity: Recycling/Reuse programs
Content or Curriculum: Cleanup Program in schools, Recycling Pays, Rinse and Return, Appliance Buy-Back, and School recycling program
Inputs: Knott Co Creeks & Streams, community volunteers, agents
Date: Fall/Spring
Activity: Reclaimed mine land forage improvement program
Content: NRCS and UK-Resources
Inputs: RCARS resources, agents, NRCS, livestock producers
Date: Throughout 2019-2020
Activity: Recreational tourism events
Content and Curriculum: educating civic and governmental leadership on the benefits of increased tourism through trail rides and other special events.
Inputs: Agents, Extension partners, and community leaders, Chamber of Commerce, Knott Co tourism
Date: Year round
Activity: Knott County Creeks & Streams (Pride) Committee
Content or Curriculum: Leadership involvement in natural resources programs and projects.
Inputs: Agents, Extension partners, and Community Leaders
Date: Monthly
Activity: Profitability for Woodland owners
Content or Curriculum: Two night sessions on selling timber and management.
Inputs: Forester, Extension Personnel, and Division of Forestry
Activity: Shitake Mushroom Program
Content or Curriculum: Workshop by ANR agents
Inputs: ANR Agents
Date: November 2019
Activity: Energy Efficiancy
Content or Curriculum: Energy awareness & 5 star rating - UK extension, AEP Energy Efficient Program
Inputs: Federal, UK & AEP Programs and information
Date: Two night sessions on home energy efficiency
