Focus on Forestry, Wildlife, and Natural Resource Management
Natural resources and environmental education
Stacy White
Health
According to the Kentucky Division of Forestry, Bell County is situated atop an abundance of natural resources; with almost 200,000 acres of forest land, lakes, streams, a state park and a national park, Bell Countians need to understand the importance of our environment and its role in our economy and everyday life. People, animals and plants are dependent on our Earth’s natural resources. Everything from the air we breathe, to the water we drink, to the soil we use for food production – these resources are vital to our existence. Therefore, it’s important that we care for and respect these resources. Understanding how our daily choices affect our environment, we can conserve natural resources and protect our environment for present and future generations.
Land owners, youth, and citizens practice proper environmental stewardship that will conserve natural resources and the productivity of the land while maximizing the economic and social benefits.
Land owners, youth and citizens recognize that forests and wildlife are renewable resources which can produce economic benefits and enjoyment for our community.
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.
Long-Term Outcome: Landowners and citizens gain knowledge and implement recommended environmental management practices, such as BMP's of timber harvesting and agricultural operations.
Indicator: Number of clients implementing these practices
Method: Program participation, Home/Farm Visits, surveys, and individual contacts
Timeline: 2-4 years.
Intermediate Outcome: Youth will be able to demonstrate their knowledge of native trees, fauna, and flora of the forests of Southeast Kentucky
Indicator: Participation in 4-H Projects, Judging Teams, Environmental Camps and School Enrichment
Method: Program participation, 4-H Projects, Individual Contacts
Timeline: 9-12 months.
Initial Outcome: Recommended management practices and proper environmental stewardship will be implemented by clientele.
Indicator: Clientele will reproduce practices they have learned through ag extension programs.
Method: Verbal, farm visits.
Timeline: 3-6 months
Audience: 4-H Youth and 4-H Cloverbuds
Project or Activity: 4-H Chick Incubation project
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Poultry Curriculum
Inputs: Curriculum, incubators, egg candlers, egg turners, teachers, UK provides eggs
Date: 2019-2020
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Horse Club
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum, UK Publications
Inputs: 4-H Curriculum, UK Publications, 4-H Horse Certification program, specialists, agents, volunteers, community members, fundraisers
Date: 2019-2020
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Community Club Forestry project
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Forestry Publications
Inputs: Agents. Natural Resources, Publications, volunteers, County Fair, State Fair
Date: 2019-2020
Audience: 4-H Youth and adults
Project or Activity: 4-H Country Ham project
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Publications
Inputs: 4-H Publications, Agents, UK Meat Specialist, volunteers, funding from Bell County Farm Bureau, Ham House, donations and in-kind services from local meat processor
Date: 2019-2020
Audience: General Public, 4-h youth
Project or Activity: Furbearer Program
Content or Curriculum: UK pubs
Inputs: Feltner facilities, schools, agents, community partners, KY Department of Fish and Wildlife, United Trappers of KY
Date: 2019-2020
Audience: General public, youth
Project or Activity: Apple Grafting
Content or Curriculum: UK pubs
Inputs: schools, agents, volunteers, Soil Conservation
Date: 2019-2020
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Backyard Beekeepers
Content or Curriculum: UK Pubs
Inputs: bell county schools facility, volunteers
Date: 2019-2020
Audience: general public, youth, farmers
Project or Activity: Farm Field Day
Content or Curriculum: UK pubs
Inputs: schools, agents, community partners, volunteers
Date: 2019-2020
Audience: general public
Project or Activity: Nuisance Wildlife Management
Content or Curriculum: UK Pubs
Inputs: agent, KY Fish and Wildlife
Date: 2019-2020
Audience: youth and general public
Project or Activity: Kentucky Wood Expo
Content or Curriculum: UK pubs
Inputs: schools, agents, KY Forest Industry Association, specialists
Date: 2019-2020
Audience: youth
Project or Activity: Win with Wood
Content or Curriculum: UK pubs
Inputs: schools, specialist, Division of Forestry, agents, Robinson Station
Date: 2019-2020
Audience: 4-H youth
Project or Activity: Southeast Kentucky Forestry Field Day
Content or Curriculum: UK Pubs
Inputs: schools, agents, community partners, Soil Conservation, specialist
Date: 2019-2020
Audience: 4-H youth
Project or Activity: Natural resource and Environmental Science Academy
Content or Curriculum: UK pubs
Inputs: schools, agents, specialist, community partners
Date: 2019-2020
Audience: Youth and general public
Program: Kentucky Reptiles
Content/Curriculum: UK publications, Kentucky Fish & Wildlife publications
Inputs: Agents, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife
Date: 2019-2020
Author: Brian Good
Major Program: Natural Resources
Due to the current pandemic, more individuals are participating in outdoor recreation. Fishing is one of the more popular activities with increased license sales in most states and tackle sales setting record numbers. Kentucky is no different, as tackle stores are having difficulty keeping shelves adequately stocked. This comes to reason, as Kentucky has a plethora of opportunities for outdoorsmen. Youth in Bell County also have countless opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, fishing being near t