Environmental Awareness and ImprovementsPlan of Work

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Boone County CES

Title:
Environmental Awareness and Improvements
MAP:
Agriculture, Horticulture and Environmental Awareness
Agents Involved:
David Koester, Gina Ligon, Lacey Kessell
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Wildlife Habitat and Damage Management Education
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Health
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Situation:

Census shows that Boone County is now considered over 50% urban. With this number growing yearly more and more of our community members have less contact with the natural environment. More of our landscape is being converted into manicured lawn. Homeowners have shown interest in keeping/creating habitat for wildlife in both lawn and large acreage areas.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Habitat improvement practices will increase the biodiversity of native flora and fauna within communities, promoting further positive environmental change.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Participants will implement habitat improvements on their properties.

Initial Outcomes:

Participants will learn habitat management and improvement methods for landscaping in their lawns.

Participants will learn ways to improve and conserve natural growing areas such as woodlots and former farmlands.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Participants will learn ways to improve and conserve natural growing areas such as woodlots and former farmlands.

Indicator: improved knowledge of woodlot management for various uses

Method: survey

Timeline: as program opportunities occur


Intermediate Outcome: Participants will implement habitat improvements on their properties.

Indicator: number of improvements made

Method: post-survey

Timeline: as program opportunities occur


Long-term Outcome: Habitat improvement practices will increase the biodiversity of native flora and fauna within communities, promoting further positive environmental change.

Indicator: landowners improving habitats

Method: landowner initiated assessment by wildlife and forestry specialists

Timeline: yearly

Learning Opportunities:


Audience: Homeowners

Project or Activity: Pollinators

Content or Curriculum: Pollinator habitat, planting native, pollinators in the garden

Inputs: ANR agents, assistants

Date: Yearly


Audience: Homeowners, Community Members

Project or Activity: Hike the Trails

Content or Curriculum: Self-guided tour on the nature trails with native plant identification.

Inputs: ANR agents, assistants, volunteers

Date: Throughout the year


Audience: Homeowners

Project or Activity: Composting 

Content or Curriculum: Composting program to educate homeowners how to use yard waste and food scrapes to create soil for their garden.

Inputs: Agents, Hort Tech

Date: Yearly




Success Stories

Pond Management Series

Author: Lacey Kessell

Major Program: Water and Soil Quality and Conservation

Many community members are often overwhelmed by the idea of managing their pond on their own but do not have or want to spend the money on hiring a professional.  Pond goals usually vary from owner to owner and could be used for watering livestock, fishing, swimming, or aesthetics which can all be negatively impacted by improper management.  Often times these ponds have been inherited through land purchases or have not maintained sustainably. In these cases some of the more preventativ

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Set Your Sights to End Hunger campaign provides food to familes during Pandemic

Author: Lacey Kessell

Major Program: Wildlife Habitat and Damage Management Education

Nearly 10% of Boone County, Kentucky’s population is unsure if they have enough funds to put food on the table consistently for themselves and their family.  The county is also ranked third in the state vehicle accidents caused by deer.  Although seemly unrelated, these two issues formulated an idea with Boone County Extension’s Environmental and Agriculture agents.  Boone County Extension partnered with KY Hunters for the Hungry, Glier’s Meats and University of

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Youth Stream Team makes Community Impact

Author: Lacey Kessell

Major Program: Water and Soil Quality and Conservation

Youth Stream Team makes Community Impact

Kentucky has over 91,000 miles of rivers and streams and more than 225,000 acres of ponds, lakes, and reservoirs. These water resources not only play a vital role in Kentucky’s drinking water systems, but also are imperative to our agriculture industry. Each day in Kentucky, 81 million gallons of surface water and 4 million gallons of groundwater are withdrawn for agricultural use. In addition, these resources are a source of recreation for

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