Extension
It Starts With Us
Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences
Natural Resources
Philip Konopka, Sherrill Bentley,
Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
Natural Resources
Woodlands cover about 48% of Kentucky and of the 48% most is privately owned. Lewis County is heavily covered with timber and forestry is a major industry in Lewis County. These forest provide numerous environmental benefits such as improved air, water, and wildlife habitats. Our forest also contribute significantly to the economy. The forestry industry employees over 60,000 and contributes $13 billion annually to Kentucky's economy. Kentucky's forest can be healthier and more productive by implementing sustainable forest management and utilization practices.
The Kentucky 4-H Youth Development Program strives to increase environmental literacy which is defined as the ability to recognize the components of healthy, natural, and man made systems and the actions necessary to maintain, restore, or improve them. Through 4-H environmental education Lewis County youth will increase understanding and appreciation for natural resource and
the forest industry in the county.
-Kentucky Trees are better protected and managed
-Kentucky Forest Eco systems and economic values are enhanced resulting in healthier forest, improved water quality, and increased revenue
-Youth will be environmentally literate
-Youth will make informed decisions and take responsible action regarding natural resources conservation, protection, and restoration
-Timber harvest operations abide by all laws and regulations
-Forest health management and utilization activities/practices that support sustainable forest are implemented
-Youth will explain the importance and role of natural resources in daily life
-Youth will adopt practices to conserve and protect natural resources
-Changes and awareness and understanding of: threats facing forest and their utilization, forest health, management, and utilization practices
-Changes and awareness of sources of forest health, management and utilization assistance management
-Youth will gain knowledge and skills in environmental sciences and natural resources content and environmental sustainability and stewardship
Initial Outcome:-Changes and awareness and understanding of threats facing forest and their utilization, forest health, management, and utilization practices
Indicator: Participants in webinars and workshops will learn how land owners can improve their timber stand and continuing education classes for Master Loggers will teach them how to minimize the environmental impact from timber harvest
Method: Webinars and workshops
Timeline: Fall 2022
Initial Outcome:-Changes and awareness of sources of forest health, management and utilization assistance management
Indicator: Participants will learn what threatens their timber stand and how to correct the issue
Method: Webinars and workshops
Timeline: Fall 2022
Initial Outcome: Youth will gain knowledge and skills in environmental sciences and natural resources content
Indicator: Youth complete the Environmental camp project
Method: Survey
Timeline: Fall 2021
Initial Outcome: Youth will gain an understanding of environmental sustainability and stewardship
Indicator: Survey for self reporting
Method: Survey Monkey
Timeline: Spring 2022
Intermediate Outcome: Timber harvest operations abide by all laws and regulations
Indicator: Master Logger bad actor list
Method: Check list to make sure that Master Loggers in Lewis County aren't on list
Timeline: Fall 2022
Intermediate Outcome: Forest health management and utilization activities/practices that support sustainable forest are implemented
Indicator: Land owners develop a stewardship plan
Method: Written Plan observed
Timeline: Winter 2022
Intermediate Outcome:-Youth will gain knowledge and skills in environmental sciences and natural resources content and environmental sustainability and stewardship
Indicator: Common Measures survey
Method: Survey through Survey Monkey
Timeline: Fall 2022
Long-term Outcome: Land owners control invasive species and implement Timber Stand Improvement Practices for a healthier woodland
Indicator: The timber will be more valuable and a better habitat for wildlife
Method: Observation and Testimonial
Timeline: Spring 2022
Long-term Outcome: Youth will be environmentally literate and make informed decisions, take responsible action regarding natural resources conservation, protection and restoration
Indicator: Ability to answer survey questions about the environment and their actions
Method: Survey
Timeline: Spring 2022
Audience: Private land owners
Project or Activity: Woodland Owner Series
Content or Curriculum: Woodland Owner Series
Inputs: Agent time, UK specialist, KY Division of Forestry, Extension Office facilities, computer, projector, curriculum
Date: Fall 2021-Fall 2022
Audience: Private land owners
Project or Activity: Master Logger Continuing Education classes
Content or Curriculum: Master Logger continuing Education classes
Inputs: Agent time, UK specialist, KY Division of Forestry, Extension Office facilities, computer, projector, curriculum
Date: Fall 2021-Fall 2022
Audience: Lewis County Central 4th Graders
Project or Activity: Environmental Day Camp
Content or Curriculum: Project Wet, UK Curriculum
Inputs: Agent time, 4-H camp facilities, teachers, program assistant, Lewis County School buses, demonstration supplies for classes, 4-H curriculum
Date: Fall 2021-22
Audience: Garrison Elementary 4th graders
Project or Activity: Environmental Day Camp
Content or Curriculum: Project Wet, UK Curriculum
Inputs: Agent time, 4-H camp facilities, teachers, program assistant, Lewis County School buses, demonstration supplies for classes, 4-H curriculum
Date: Fall 2021-22
Audience: Tollesboro Elementary and Laurel Elementary 4th Graders
Project or Activity: Environmental Day Camp
Content or Curriculum: Project Wet, UK Curriculum
Inputs: Agent time, 4-H camp facilities, teachers, program assistant, Lewis County School buses, demonstration supplies for classes, 4-H curriculum
Date: Fall 2021-22
Author: Philip Konopka
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
The 2021 Kentucky Master Logger WebTV Program was hosted in 30 Kentucky County Extension Offices to reduce drive time and travel for the logging workforce by providing relevant and timely information delivered close to home. All of the content was delivered live from the UK Forestry and Natural Resources Departments Webinar Studio on campus and streamed to the participating county offices, including Lewis County. Of the 376 Master Loggers dispersed throughout the participating county offi
Author: Philip Konopka
Major Program: Chemical Management
Throughout the year our local Farm Supplies Stores support our Extension programs with monetary donations, supplies and advertisements which makes them great community partners. In order to sell chemicals and do commercial jobs with chemicals those business must have a staff member with a Commercial Pesticide License. Kentucky State law mandates that everyone with this license must receive continuing educational hours, 9 General and 3 Specific hours every three years.As a way of saying thanks to
Author: Philip Konopka
Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home
In the fall of 2021, the Lewis County ANR Agent and Program Assistant was approached by the Tollesboro Elementary School to do a hands-on gardening project. The goal of the project was to have the have the 4th grade students to grow a garden at the school so they could learn the following objectives: the importance of soil, growing vegetable to eat, where their food comes from, and an appreciation of growing their own food. Lessons were taught to the students by the ANR Agent and Program A
