Extension
It Starts With Us
Forested Systems
Raising Environmental Awareness
Michele Stanton, Dan Allen
Forestry Industry Education
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.
•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
•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
•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
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
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
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
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
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
