Floyd County CES

Title:

Promoting Environmental Stewardship

MAP:

Natural Resources and Environmental Quality

Agents Involved:

Hackworth, Johnson

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Backyard Streams

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Integrated Plant Pest Management

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Forestry Industry Education

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Environmental Sustainability & Responsibility

Situation:

Floyd County is diverse from a natural resource perspective. Forestry is becoming a major industry in the county with 85% of the land being forested. Most of these forested lands are privately held. The citizens of the county are become more aware of the importance of, and possible financial gain from, their forested lands. Education is still needed to help improve the forest’s quality and improve citizen’s management skills. There is also an abundance of wildlife in the county partly due to the fact the county is dominated by woodlands. Other natural resources that we have an abundance of needs to be considered are coal, gas, and oil. Recently, the county has an increase in natural gas and oil production. All of the natural resources of the county should be used wisely. Conservation practices must be learned by citizens in order to protect the valuable ecosystem of the county. Like many other counties in the area, environmental concerns are of great importance to the county, water quality being the #1 concern. Extension can help educate the public about the importance of the environment and about conservation methods that help improve environmental conditions. Local leaders agreed that the above issues are of high importance and must be addressed.

Long-Term Outcomes:

The people of the county understand the importance of the wise use of natural resources and strive to improve the environmental conditions in the area. They will learn to manage their resources to aid in realizing personal and financial goals. Adults and youth will reduce, reuse, and recycle thus creating an improved environment.

Intermediate Outcomes:

*Best Management Practices will be used for operations dealing with natural resources.
*An increased wise use of reclaimed lands that prevents erosion.
*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 in household and homeowner conservation practices; such as, reducing waste, reuse, and recycling in homes and businesses

Initial Outcomes:

*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.
*Understanding of renewable resources and eco-friendly consumer practices
*Learn the importance of recycling

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Number that will participate in reduce, reuse, and recycling programs at home, work, and school
Indicator: Percentage of program participants that show changes
Method: Surveys and Visual Observations
Timeline: Year round

Intermediate Outcome: Number that will know and understand the importance of the wise use of natural resources and how we affect the environment
Indicator: Percentage of program participants that show changes
Method: Surveys and Visual Observations
Timeline: Year round

Long-term Outcome: Number that has adopted improved practices that promotes environmental quality and proper management of our natural resources
Indicator: Percentage of program participants that show changes
Method: Surveys and Visual Observations
Timeline: Year round

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Land Owners
Project or Activity: Forest Landowners education
Content or Curriculum: UK Forestry and Forest Management materials
Inputs: Extension Resources, agents, specialist, and collaborative organizations
Date: Fall

Audience: General Clientele
Project or Activity: Environmental Quality Program
Content or Curriculum: Discussion of environmental concerns of the area
Inputs: Extension Resources, agents, specialist, and collaborative organizations
Date: September/October

Audience: General Clientele
Project or Activity: Clean-ups Programs
Content or Curriculum: Promotion and recruitment for local cleanup program of roadsides and streams
Inputs: Extension Resources, agents, specialist, and collaborative organizations
Date: Spring/Fall

Audience: General Clientele
Project or Activity: Recycling/Reuse programs
Content or Curriculum: Cleanup Program, Recycling Pays, Rinse and Return,
Appliance Buy-Back, and School recycling program
Inputs: Extension Resources, agents, specialist, and collaborative organizations
Date: Spring/Fall

Audience: Land Owners and Sportsmen
Project or Activity: Wildlife Habitat Program
Content or Curriculum: Awareness and improvements of wildlife habitat
Inputs: Extension Resources, agents, specialist, and collaborative organizations
Date: Year round

Audience: Adults and Youth
Project or Activity: Water quality program
Content or Curriculum: water awareness education
Inputs: Extension Resources, agents, specialist, and collaborative organizations
Date: Spring/Fall

Success Stories