Extension
It Starts With Us
Wise Use of Environment & Natural Recources
Natural Resources and Environment
Chad Conway, Linda Combs, Dora Centers
Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
Policy, Systems, and Environmental Changes
Community Engagement
Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
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 does continue 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 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 the majority of natural resources should be used wisely, conservation practices must also be learned by citizens, in order to protect the county’s valuable ecosystem. Like many other counties in the area, environmental concerns are of great importance, with water quality being the number one concern. A recent survey conducted by Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, showed that over a third of the residents surveyed were concerned about littering and illegal dumping. Extension can help educate the public about the importance of the environment, and how conservation methods can help improve environmental conditions. The County Extension Council, Agriculture & Natural Resources Council, Knott 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 include: Knowledge of better management practices related to protection of natural resources; Understanding of the environmental concerns in the area; 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 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.
* An increased awareness of recycling program in the county.
* 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
Initial Outcome: Individuals become aware of environmental Concerns
Indicator: need for recycling and water pollution control
Method: testing and recyling awareness
Timeline: spring and fall 2021
Intermediate Outcome: additional recycling takes place in our schools
Indicator: more you of recycling containers at schools
Method: recycling containers placed in every school
Timeline: spring 2021
Long-term Outcome: utilization of recyling takes place across county
Indicator: increase in recyclables at recycling center
Method: measure increase
Timeline: fall 2021
Activity: Environmental 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, Knott Co. Soil Conservation, agents
Date: Fall
Activity: Reclaimed mine land forage improvement program
Content: NRCS and UK-Resources
Inputs: RCARS resources, agents, NRCS, livestock producers
Date: 2021 Spring Program
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 Webinars
Content or Curriculum: Two night sessions on selling timber and management.
Inputs: Forester, Extension Personnel, and Division of Forestry
Date: As Available from UK Forestry
Activity: Shitake Mushroom Program
Content or Curriculum: Workshop by ANR agents
Inputs: ANR Agents
Date: November 2020
Activity: Energy Efficiency
Content or Curriculum: Solar, Energy awareness & 5 star rating - UK extension, AEP Energy Efficient Program
Inputs: Federal, UK & AEP Programs and information
Date: February 2021, Two night sessions on home energy efficiency
Activity: Hindman Greenscapes project
Content: Plans and Community partners in planting trees and flowers for beatification and greenspaces in city
Inputs: City of Hindman and Chamber of Commerce, UK CEDIK, UK Extension
Date: Fall of 2020 and Spring of 2021
Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Nurturing Families
University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment
