Forested SystemsPlan of Work

Back to Plans for the County

Kenton County CES

Title:
Forested Systems
MAP:
Raising Environmental Awareness
Agents Involved:
Michele Stanton, Dan Allen
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Forestry Industry Education
Situation:
The natural ecosystem in Kentucky County is that of the Eastern Hardwood Forest. Landowners are becoming increasingly aware of the important role that non-degraded forest ecosystems play in our lives. As they notice more and more dead ash trees, try to remove honeysuckle, decrease soil erosion, and watch more and more development take place, they want to know how to take good care of their land. They look to Extension for further information on managing their woods, and their environment.

Homes and farms in Kenton County are part of the Eastern Deciduous Forest ecosystem. Homeowners are becoming aware of the value of native forests, and are looking for information on how to best take care of their land. They are also increasingly aware of the detrimental effects of development, which is very evident here.
Long-Term Outcomes:

•Preservation and proper management of the forested areas around homes and on our farms


•Maintenance of high-quality woodlands


•Improved forest quality around homes, woodlots, and farms


•Indicators: Retention of canopy area


•Evaluation: Aerial surveys, written participant surveys, Monarch tagging counts


•Timeline: Ongoing

Intermediate Outcomes:

•Implementation of BMPs for healthier canopies, reduced soil erosion, lessened

areas of invasive plants

•Implementation of best management practices to ensure healthy native trees, shrubs, and other plants; fewer invasive species on private properties.

•Implementation of best management practices to ensure healthy trees canopies and clean natural forests.

•Indicators: Lower net loss of forested canopy

•Evaluation: Surveys

•Timeline: Ongoing

Initial Outcomes:

•Participants will gain knowledge through classes, on-site visits, and individual consultations.

•Participants will appreciate the value of our native forests and the benefits their presence gives our homes and communities.

•Participants gain knowledge in many aspects of woodland management through classes, demonstrations, etc.

•Participants become more aware of Extension’s role in addressing the needs of

local residents

•Indicators: Pre- and post-activity surveys

•Evaluation: Participants demonstrate knowledge gained through pre- and

post-class surveys

•Gain knowledge by way of classroom and on-site demonstration.

•Timeline: ongoing


Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Healthy and vital forested areas

Indicator: Acreage preserved for forested areas.

Method: Surveys and site visits

Timeline: Ongoing


Initial Outcome: Increased knowledge and value of best management practices

Indicator: Knowledge of BMPS, identification of invasive species, awareness of forest-based products for horticulture

Method: Participant surveys

Timeline: Fall 2017, 2018, 2019; Spring 2018, 2019


Intermediate Outcome: Implementation of best management practices to ensure healthy native trees, shrubs, and other plants; fewer invasive species.

Indicator: Implementation of best management practices to ensure healthy native trees, shrubs, and other plants; fewer invasive species.

Method: Resident surveys

Timeline: Ongoing


Long-term Outcome: Preservation and good management of forested lands, especially around homes, on small woodlots, and farms.

Indicator: Increased tree canopy, removal of key invasive species (Lonicera maackii and others)

Method: Resident surveys; updated canopy studies/GIS

Timeline: Ongoing



Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Homeowners, farmers, landowners

Project or Activity: How to Live on a Wooded Home Lot

Content or Curriculum: UK Curriculum

Inputs: Forestry Extension Specialists, local parks and recreation staff

Date: Fall 2017


Audience: Homeowners, farmers, landowners

Project or Activity: Landowners of logging-size trees

Content or Curriculum: UK Forestry materials, logging standards

Inputs: UK Forestry Extension Specialists, KDF

Date: Fall 2018


Audience: Landowners wanting firewood from their property

Project or Activity: How to Fall a Tree and Chain Saw Safety

Content or Curriculum: Master Logger Safety Program

Inputs: UK Forestry Extension Specialists

Date: Fall 2017 & Fall 2018


Audience: Homeowners, farmers, landowners

Project or Activity: Forest-farmed horticultural products. Individual classes on production of Ginseng, shitake and/or oyster mushrooms, maple syrup, Goldenseal and other medicinal herbs, ramps, etc.

Content or Curriculum: UK Center for Crop Diversification KDA, UK Forestry Extension Specialists

Inputs: UK Crop Diversification Specialists, KDA Specialists, others

Date: Summer 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020


Audience: Homeowners, landowners

Project or Activity: Getting rid of invasive honeysuckle and other invasive organisms

Content or Curriculum: Extension materials

Inputs: UK Forestry Extension Specialists

Date: Fall 2017


Audience: Homeowners, landowners, general public

Project or Activity: EAB, What next? Replacing ash trees in our landscapes and woods

Content or Curriculum: UK Horticulture

Inputs: UK Forestry Extension Specialists

Date: Summer 2017


Audience: Homeowners, landowners, general public

Project or Activity: Wildlife conservation

Content or Curriculum:

Inputs: Extension specialists, UK Forestry, Fish and Wildlife conservation, Parks & Recreation Depts., Dept of Water and Soil Conservation.

Date: Ongoing


Audience: Homeowners, general public

Project or activity: Appreciating your environment. Classes, nature walks, field trip, site-specific content

Content or Curriculum: Materials from Extension, UK Forestry, Entomology, County Agents, others.

Inputs: Agents and UK specialists

Date: Fall 2017-Spring/Fall 2018


Audience: Homeowners, farmers, landowners

Project or activity: Wildlife conservation. Promoting pollinator habitat, habitat for native birds, salamanders, other organisms.

Content or Curriculum: Materials from Extension, USDA, other UK departments.

Inputs: County agent, UK forestry specialists, Wildlife & Conservation Service staff, others.

Date: 2017


Audience: Woodlot Owners

Project or activity: Woodland Owners Short Course

Content or Curriculum: UK CES Program

Inputs: UK Agents, Specialists

Date: September 2017



Success Stories

Forest-farmed Herbs: Attracting New Clients to Extension

Author: Michele Stanton

Major Program: Commercial Horticulture - Landscape Ecosystems

When residents walk through our doors for the first time, I sometimes hear things like, ‘Wow!  This is great!  I didn’t know you guys existed.’  Residents appreciate what we do in Extension Horticulture: classes, programs, soil testing, plant disease ID, free vegetable seeds, publications, individualized information, and more.  If I can get someone to attend that first class or other event, I feel they come back.   Getting them here the first time that

Full Story

Woodland Management

Author: Daniel Allen

Major Program: Woodland Education

Woodland Course Offered According to the USDA Kenton County has nearly 50,000 acres of forestland, and 90% of this forest land is privately owned.  During the fall 2016 meeting of the Kenton County Agriculture Advisory Council, they asked the ANR agent to consider a program that would benefit any landowners that wished to manage their forestland.  The Agriculture agent asked the UK Department of Forestry to consider bringing a session of the Woodland Owner’s Short Course to

Full Story

Educating our woodland owners

Author: Michele Stanton

Major Program: Woodland Education

Success Story: Woodland Owners’ Short CourseMichele Stanton, Kenton County Agent for HorticultureKentucky’s woodlands are one of the state’s most important natural and economic resources. Over 47% of the state’s land mass is comprised of woodlands—more than 25,000,000 acres. The state’s forest industries gross more than 6 billion dollars annually from the sale of timber, furniture, paper, and other forest-derived goods.  The recreation industry is importa

Full Story
Back to Plans for the County