Extension
It Starts With Us
Natural Resource and Environmental Education
Natural Resource and Environmental Education
Shad Baker, Crystal Smith, Nanette Banks, Lee Adams, Mitch Whitaker,
Forestry Industry Education
Forestry Industry Education
Letcher County is home to a unique natural world, being graced by the presence of Pine Mountain and Lilley Cornett Woods and holding the headwaters of both the Kentucky and Cumberland Rivers. The area has been heavily impacted by human activity. This activity ranges from litter and sewer issues at private homes to timber, gas/oil and mining impacts on land and water. Sedimentation is high (outside the acceptable limits) in almost every waterway in the county. Fecal coliform surveys of the waterways show limits beyond what is considered safe by federal standards. Given the setting and the fact that residents live within narrow valleys close to those same waterways, natural resource management and environmental education are at an utmost importance. Landowners, community leaders, and youth need to be made aware of their impact on the environment and ways to manage what we have to be sustainable for the future.
As so much of the county is timbered, utilizing the natural environment for tourism, wildlife education, and timber related income is an obvious choice for Extension efforts.
Land owners, youth, and citizens practice proper environmental stewardship that will conserve natural resources and the productivity of the land while maximizing and economic and social benefits.
Land owners, youth and citizens recognize that forests and wildlife are renewable resources which can produce economic benefits and enjoyment for our community
Community leaders, landowners, youth, and citizens will gain knowledge of the use of recommended management practices and the effect of the proper use of these practices on the environment. Community leaders, land owners, youth and citizens value proper environmental stewardship practices and become aware of the impact of the decisions they make on the environment.
Initial Outcome: Community leaders, landowners, youth, and citizens will gain knowledge of the use of recommended management practices and the effect of the proper use of these practices on the environment. Community leaders, land owners, youth and citizens will value proper environmental stewardship practices and become aware of the impact of the decisions they make on the environment.
Indicator: Clientele will seek information on IPM, timber management, erosion control, safe use of pesticides, water resource management, etc.
Method: Observation, informational requests
Timeline: 2017-2018
Audience: Adults & Youth
Project or Activity: Maple Sugaring, Shiitake, Ginseng Workshop, Cooking w/ Maple, Shiitake Recipes
Content or Curriculum: Publications, Power-point, Demonstrations, Newspaper Articles, Radio and TV Shows, Program Funds and Community Resources
Inputs: Agents, Program Assistants and/or UK Specialists, Volunteer Leaders
Date:2017-2020
Audience: Adults & Youth
Project or Activity: Raptor Program/Falconry
Content or Curriculum: Publications, Power-point Demonstrations, Newspaper Articles, Radio and TV Shows, Program Funds and Community Resources
Inputs: Program Assistant, ANR & 4-H Agent and/or UK Specialists.
Date: 2017-2020
Audience: Adults & Youth
Project or Activity: Trail Programs
Content or Curriculum: CDC grant, Publications, Power-point Demonstrations, Newspaper Articles, Radio and TV Shows, Program Funds and Community Resources
Inputs: Agents and/or UK Specialists, CDC Specialists, Volunteer Leaders
Date: 2017-2020
Audience: Adults and Youth
Project or Activity: Woodland Owner Short Course
Content or Curriculum: Publications, Power-point Demonstrations, Newspaper Articles, Radio and TV Shows, Program Funds and Community Resources
Inputs: ANR Agent and/or UK Specialists
Date: 2017-2020
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Tourism Hikes, Wellness Walks
Content or Curriculum: Get Moving Kentucky, Couch Potato Challenge, Tree ID Booklets, Plant ID Publications
Input: Agents and Assistants, Volunteer Leaders
Date: 2017-2020
Audience: General
Project or Activity: Pollinator Promotion, Beekeeping
Content or Curriculum: Publications, Workshops & Demonstrations
Input: Agents & Assistants, Seeds
Date: 2017 - 2020
Author: Shad Baker
Major Program: Forestry and Natural Resource Professional Education
Eastern Kentucky has long been a reservoir of natural resources. And while the focus for the last century has been on coal, oil and natural gas extraction, the future may depend more heavily on the region's renewable resources. The area is lush and heavily forested and with this comes opportunities for locals to focus on proper management of timber and non-timber forest products. The Letcher County Extension Service has worked in tandem with the University of Kentucky Forestry Department in
