Natural Resources and Environmental SciencesPlan of Work

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Lewis County CES

Title:
Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences
MAP:
Natural Resources
Agents Involved:
Philip Konopka, Sherrill Bentley,
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Natural Resources
Situation:

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.

Long-Term Outcomes:

-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

Intermediate Outcomes:

-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

Initial Outcomes:

-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


Evaluation:

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

Learning Opportunities:

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




Success Stories

Master Logger WebTV Program

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

Full Story

Commercial Pesticide Applicator Continuing Education

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

Full Story

School Garden

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

Full Story
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