Natural Resource and Environmental EducationPlan of Work

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Letcher County CES

Title:
Natural Resource and Environmental Education
MAP:
Natural Resource and Environmental Education
Agents Involved:
Shad Baker, Crystal Smith, Nanette Banks, Lee Adams, Mitch Whitaker, and Extension Staff
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Forestry Industry Education
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Forestry Industry Education
Situation:

Letcher County is home to a unique natural world, being graced by the presence of Pine Mountain and Lilley Cornett Woods and holding the headwaters of both the Kentucky and Cumberland Rivers. The area has been heavily impacted by human activity. This activity ranges from litter and sewer issues at private homes to timber, gas/oil and mining impacts on land and water. Sedimentation is high (outside the acceptable limits) in almost every waterway in the county. Fecal coliform surveys of the waterways show limits beyond what is considered safe by federal standards. Given the setting and the fact that residents live within narrow valleys close to those same waterways, natural resource management and environmental education are at an utmost importance. Landowners, community leaders, and youth need to be made aware of their impact on the environment and ways to manage what we have to be sustainable for the future.


As so much of the county is timbered, utilizing the natural environment for tourism, wildlife education, and timber related income is an obvious choice for Extension efforts.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Land owners, youth, and citizens practice proper environmental stewardship that will conserve natural resources and the productivity of the land while maximizing and economic and social benefits.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Land owners, youth and citizens recognize that forests and wildlife are renewable resources which can produce economic benefits and enjoyment for our community

Initial Outcomes:

Community leaders, landowners, youth, and citizens will gain knowledge of the use of recommended management practices and the effect of the proper use of these practices on the environment. Community leaders, land owners, youth and citizens value proper environmental stewardship practices and become aware of the impact of the decisions they make on the environment.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Community leaders, landowners, youth, and citizens will gain knowledge of the use of recommended management practices and the effect of the proper use of these practices on the environment. Community leaders, land owners, youth and citizens will value proper environmental stewardship practices and become aware of the impact of the decisions they make on the environment.

Indicator: Clientele will seek information on IPM, timber management, erosion control, safe use of pesticides, water resource management, etc.

Method: Observation, informational requests

Timeline: 2019-2020

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Adults & Youth

Project or Activity: Maple Sugaring, Shiitake, Ginseng Workshop, Cooking w/ Maple, Shiitake Recipes, Maple School, Ky Maple Syrup Association

Content or Curriculum: Publications, Power-point, Demonstrations, Newspaper Articles, Radio and TV Shows, Program Funds and Community Resources

Inputs: AG, FCS and 4H Agents, Program Assistants and/or UK Specialists, Volunteer Leaders

Date:2019-2020


Audience: Adults & Youth

Project or Activity: Raptor Program/Falconry

Content or Curriculum: Publications, Power-point Demonstrations, Newspaper Articles, Radio and TV Shows, Program Funds and Community Resources

Inputs: Program Assistant, FCS & 4-H Agents and/or UK Specialists.

Date: 2019-2020


Audience: Adults & Youth

Project or Activity: Trail Programs (Pine Mountain Trail, Tanglewood Trail, Bike Trail, and Pioneer Horse Trail)

Content or Curriculum: Publications, Power-point Demonstrations, Newspaper Articles, Radio and TV Shows, Program Funds and Community Resources

Inputs: Agents and/or UK Specialists, Volunteer Leaders

Date: 2019-2020


Audience: Adults and Youth

Project or Activity: Woodland Owner Short Course

Content or Curriculum: Publications, Power-point Demonstrations, Newspaper Articles, Radio and TV Shows, Program Funds and Community Resources

Inputs: ANR Agent and/or UK Specialists

Date: 2019-2020


Audience: Adults

Project or Activity: Tourism Hikes, Wellness Walks

Content or Curriculum: Get Moving Kentucky, Couch Potato Challenge, Tree ID Booklets, Plant ID Publications

Input: AG, FCS and 4H Agents and Assistants, Volunteer Leaders

Date: 2019-2020


Audience: General

Project or Activity:  Pollinator Promotion, Beekeeping

Content or Curriculum:  Publications, Workshops & Demonstrations

Input:  Agents & Assistants, Seeds

Date:  2019 - 2020

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