Extension
It Starts With Us
Environmental Awareness and Improvements
Agriculture, Horticulture and Environmental Awareness
David Koester, Gina Ligon, Lacey Kessell
Wildlife Habitat and Damage Management Education
Health
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Census shows that Boone County is now considered over 50% urban. With this number growing yearly more and more of our community members have less contact with the natural environment. More of our landscape is being converted into manicured lawn. Homeowners have shown interest in keeping/creating habitat for wildlife in both lawn and large acreage areas.
Habitat improvement practices will increase the biodiversity of native flora and fauna within communities, promoting further positive environmental change.
Participants will implement habitat improvements on their properties.
Participants will learn habitat management and improvement methods for landscaping in their lawns.
Participants will learn ways to improve and conserve natural growing areas such as woodlots and former farmlands.
Initial Outcome: Participants will learn ways to improve and conserve natural growing areas such as woodlots and former farmlands.
Indicator: improved knowledge of woodlot management for various uses
Method: survey
Timeline: as program opportunities occur
Intermediate Outcome: Participants will implement habitat improvements on their properties.
Indicator: number of improvements made
Method: post-survey
Timeline: as program opportunities occur
Long-term Outcome: Habitat improvement practices will increase the biodiversity of native flora and fauna within communities, promoting further positive environmental change.
Indicator: landowners improving habitats
Method: landowner initiated assessment by wildlife and forestry specialists
Timeline: yearly
Audience: Homeowners
Project or Activity: Pollinators
Content or Curriculum: Pollinator habitat, planting native, pollinators in the garden
Inputs: ANR agents, assistants
Date: Yearly
Audience: Homeowners, Community Members
Project or Activity: Hike the Trails
Content or Curriculum: Self-guided tour on the nature trails with native plant identification.
Inputs: ANR agents, assistants, volunteers
Date: Throughout the year
Audience: Homeowners
Project or Activity: Composting
Content or Curriculum: Composting program to educate homeowners how to use yard waste and food scrapes to create soil for their garden.
Inputs: Agents, Hort Tech
Date: Yearly
Author: Lacey Kessell
Major Program: Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
Many community members are often overwhelmed by the idea of managing their pond on their own but do not have or want to spend the money on hiring a professional. Pond goals usually vary from owner to owner and could be used for watering livestock, fishing, swimming, or aesthetics which can all be negatively impacted by improper management. Often times these ponds have been inherited through land purchases or have not maintained sustainably. In these cases some of the more preventativ
Author: Lacey Kessell
Major Program: Wildlife Habitat and Damage Management Education
Nearly 10% of Boone County, Kentucky’s population is unsure if they have enough funds to put food on the table consistently for themselves and their family. The county is also ranked third in the state vehicle accidents caused by deer. Although seemly unrelated, these two issues formulated an idea with Boone County Extension’s Environmental and Agriculture agents. Boone County Extension partnered with KY Hunters for the Hungry, Glier’s Meats and University of
Author: Lacey Kessell
Major Program: Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
Kentucky has over 91,000 miles of rivers and streams and more than 225,000 acres of ponds, lakes, and reservoirs. These water resources not only play a vital role in Kentucky’s drinking water systems, but also are imperative to our agriculture industry. Each day in Kentucky, 81 million gallons of surface water and 4 million gallons of groundwater are withdrawn for agricultural use. In addition, these resources are a source of recreation for
