Environmental Awareness, Improvements and EducationPlan of Work

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Boone County CES

Title:
Environmental Awareness, Improvements and Education
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:
Natural Resources
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
Situation:

Approximately half of Boone County has become urbanized or "suburanized" with development expected to continue at high levels for many years.  With less rural environments in the area, more community members want to utilize safe green spaces or convert well-manicured lawns into wildlife friendly habitat. Development also has caused many concerns for water quality and loss of trees/forests in the area.  As the population in Boone County continues to grow, and urban areas become more prominent our community has fewer opportunities to explore our natural environment.  Homeowners have also shown significant interest in keeping/creating habitat for wildlife on their properties no matter how small or large.

The community (via the Community Assessment), as well as Boone County School systems have identified a need for hands-on experiences that make connections to our natural resources and the State Education Core Standards (for schools).   

 

Long-Term Outcomes:

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

Environmental Sciences scores will increase in Boone County Schools during State Core Standard Testing.

Environmentally friendly practices will be adopted within schools and our communities, preserving our natural resources.

An increase in schools and the community utilizing local green spaces and natural areas for learning and well-being.

Increase understanding and appreciation for nature and environmental issues within the community.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Participants will implement habitat improvements on their properties.

Community members will choose to become more environmentally friendly practices by recycling more, polluting less, planting more native plants and decreasing negative impact on our environment.

More community members are utilizing the environment and teachers are using environmentally focused curricula in their classrooms.

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.

The community and the youth within it, will better understand ecosystems and our relationship and impact on natural systems.  Program engagement will increase community appreciation for their environmental and strive to decrease negative impacts. 

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


Initial Outcome: Youth will understand ecosystems and our relationship and impact on natural systems.

Indicator: Participants can correctly answer assessment questions after programming

Method: pre/post assessment

Timeline: as programming occurs

 

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

Indicator: number of improvements made

Method: post-survey

Timeline: as program opportunities occur


Intermediate Outcome:

More educators are utilizing the environment and environmentally focused curricula to teach their students and the community.  Participant engagement for environmentally friendly programs will increase.

Indicator: More participants in Environmental related programs/volunteer activities

Method: Registrations

Timeline: yearly

 

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


Long-term Outcome: The community will utilize local natural spaces to promote learning.

Indicator: Extension program participants will have/utilize natural resources, utilize wildlife habitat practices, and promote environmentally safe practices.

Method: Verbal/written surveys

Timeline: On-going

Learning Opportunities:


Audience: Homeowners

Project or Activity: Pollinators

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

Inputs: ANR agents, assistants

Date: May, July, August


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: Every Wednesday May through October


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: April 2022


Audience: 3rd-4th Grade students

Project or Activity: Spring Environmental Camp

Content or Curriculum: state supported

Inputs: staff, curriculum, volunteers, etc.

Date: March-May

 

Audience: 4th-5th Grade Students

Project or Activity: Overnight Environmental Camp

Content or Curriculum: state supported

Inputs: staff, curriculum, volunteers, outside resources, etc.

Date: September-October

 

Audience: 4-H Members

Project or Activity: 4-H Summer Projects

Content or Curriculum: State 4-H fair exhibits

Inputs: Agents, Nature Center

Date: June, July

 

Audience: General Public

Project or Activity: Wildlife Habitat Improvement/Management Assistance

Content or Curriculum: Planting native to attract wildlife, wildlife management, pollinators

Inputs: County staff

Date: Monthly, with expected higher focus during spring, summer, and fall months

 

Audience: General Public

Project or Activity: Water Ecology/Improvement 

Content or Curriculum: Stream management, aquatic wildlife, water ecology

Inputs: County staff

Date: June, July

 

Audience: General Public

Project or Activity: Master Naturalist

Content or Curriculum: Master Naturalist

Inputs: County Staff and other Environmental professionals

Date: May, June, July 2022

 




Success Stories

Field to Fork

Author: Lacey Kessell

Major Program: Cook Wild Kentucky

According to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife's Kentucky Deer Report, there is over 933,000 deer in the state of Kentucky.  Boone County has some of the highest densities of deer in the state and hunters are able to take as many antlerless deer as needed with 1,827 deer being harvested within the county in 2020.  In order to promote sustainable populations of deer and healthy living for local families, Boone County Extension  partnered with KY Fish and Wildlife to present a 3-part F

Full Story

Landscape Problem Diagnosis

Author: David Koester

Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial

Every growing season brings about landscape problems. Boone County experienced a cool wet spring in 2021 which brought on a wide array of landscape problems on ornamental plants,turfgrass, and fruits and vegetables by mid summer. The usually reliable landscape staple blue spruce was devastated by Rhizophaera Needle Cast disease. Throughout the tri-state area this valuable plant was no longer adding value to landscapes. Over 30 specimens were brought to our office for diagnosis. Homeowners, nurse

Full Story

Herbs 101

Author: Christy Eastwood

Major Program: Natural Resources

Growing your own herbs can provide you fresher herbs that you could ever purchase at the store. And growing your own herbs will provide you a constant supply to add flavor to your dishes. Having multiple fresh herbs to choose from will add variety to your diet that doesn't take the fun out of eating healthy. The Boone County Extension Horticulture Advisory Council requested a class be taught on growing herbs. To meet this need the agriculture and natural resources agent, the 4-H youth d

Full Story

Maple Month

Author: Lacey Kessell

Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization

Maple Month

Maple syrup production has existed in Kentucky for hundreds of years.  However, over generations the production of maple syrup on farms and homesteads seems to have been lost throughout the Kentucky, as very few woodland owners in Boone County still practice it today.  Although only 36% of Boone County is wooded, maple trees are a fairly common street tree and are regularly used in suburban landscapes across the county, giving maple tapping opportunities for homeowners on even small ac

Full Story

American Kestrel Project

Author: Lacey Kessell

Major Program: Wildlife Habitat and Damage Management Education

American Kestrel Project

The American Kestrel used to be a common sight perched on power lines and fence post along roads and open fields.  With each year, less and less of these small falcons are being observed across the country.  Since the 60’s their populations are declining by an average of 1% annually across the country (over a 50% population decline since 1966).  Although there is speculation among scientist and wildlife biologist as to the reason of this decline, without a more widespread da

Full Story
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