Forestry Systems and Water IssuesPlan of Work

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Russell County CES

Title:
Forestry Systems and Water Issues
MAP:
Enviromental Stewardship and Natural Resources
Agents Involved:
ANR, 4-HYD
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Wildlife Habitat and Damage Management Education
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Natural Resources
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
Situation:

Kentucky is 48% forested, with a total of 12,379,171 forested acres and 88% privately owned.  Russell County is slightly above the percent forested at 53%, with 91,263 forested acres with 75% privately owned, according to the most recent Forest Inventory and Analysis performed by the US Forest Service and KY Division of Forestry in 2016.  Russell County is also home to Lake Cumberland, which covers 65,530 acres in multiple counties, with Russell being home to a large percent of the lake.  

With over half of the county covered in forest or water, and millions of visitors to the lake and state park each year, management, and use of these resources is vital to Russell County and the local economy.  Therefore, education on forestry, wildlife, natural resources, woodlands, and backyard streams is vital to a thriving and developing Russell County. 

Long-Term Outcomes:
Intermediate Outcomes:
Initial Outcomes:

 

Evaluation:

Outcome: Better overall mgt. of woodlands to increase forest health, and utilization 

Indicator: Better management of woodland acres in the county 

Method: Surveys and on farm visits 

Timeline: Beginning of course, end of course, visits as needed 

Outcome: Youth participate in yearly stream clean ups or tree planting 

Indicator: Youth become involved in so type of natural resources club or group 

Method: Number of youth that report being involved in group or club 

Timeline: Yearly 

 

Outcome: Sustain and improve natural resources for county 

Indicator: More acres of natural habitat are planted, marginal land returns to forest or native grass, wildlife habitat is increased 

Method: Number of acres managed or put back into woodlands. 

Timeline: Yearly 

 

Outcome: Producers fill out and follow Ag Water Quality Plan and conduct more soil test 

Indicator: Increase in the number of AWQP and increase in number of soil test 

Method: Number of AWQP filled out and number of soil test recommendations returned 

Timeline: Yearly 

 

Outcome:  Youth participate in natural resource and forestry/botany education 

Indicator:  Youth adopt one practice for tree health. 

Method:  participant self-evaluation 

Timeline:  post-program 

Learning Opportunities:

Overall Audience: Youth and Adults

 

Main Audience: Adults

Activity: Forestry Webinars

Content or Curriculum: Various topics

Date: 2x year

 

Main Audience: Adults

Activity: Field Days

Content or Curriculum: Various topics

Date: Spring and Fall

 

Main Audience: Youth

Activity: Youth- Nature Club

Content or Curriculum: Day of hiking and education on forest and water issues

Date: 3x year

 

Main Audience: ANR Program Council

Activity: Programming Ideas

Content or Curriculum: Program Ideas

Date: Spring and Fall

 

Audience:  4th grade youth

Activity:  Botany education

Curriculum:  Jr. Master Gardener; 4-H natural resource curricula

Date:  during school year

 

 

Audience: Elementary age

Activity: Soil Structure Kits

Curriculum: Nitty Gritty Soil Test Kits

Date: Spring, during school year

 

Audience:  Youth and Adults

Activity:  Community Earth Day Celebration

Curriculum:  4-H natural resource activities

Date:  April

 

Audience: Agriculture Producers

Activity: Ag Water Quality Plans

Curriculum: Ag Water Quality Workbook

Date: As needed

 



Success Stories

Hunter Education

Author: Jonathan Oakes

Major Program: Wildlife Habitat and Damage Management Education

Hunting and harvesting your own food is a long standing tradition in the state of Kentucky.  Each year thousands of hunter take to the woods and fields to harvest animals for additional and sometime all of their meat protein needs for the year.  With this way of life also comes a responsibility to be a safe and ethical hunter, and Hunter Education is where hunters of all ages can learn more about safe, ethical hunting practices.  This course helps to protect the hunter, other hunt

Full Story
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