Environmental Management - Environmental Awareness, Education, and Action

Environmental Management - Environmental Awareness, Education, and ActionPlan of Work

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Campbell County CES

Title:

Environmental Management - Environmental Awareness, Education, and Action

MAP:

Environmental Management

Agents Involved:

Scully, Dawson

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Water and Soil Quality and Conservation

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Wildlife Habitat and Damage Management Education

Situation:

The Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service recently conducted community needs assessments. The summary report for Campbell County indicated these top environmental priority issues: sustainability and profitability of family farms, less illegal dumping and littering, less pest, disease, and weed issues, increased tree and forestry management, More community parks and green spaces, and better landscapes for improved home value. Below are situational statements provided by departments in the College of Agriculture, Food, and the Environment about the importance of forestry education for youth and adults, wildlife management, and soil and water educational programming.

Forests, also called woodlands, cover 12 million acres or 48% of Kentucky and are mostly privately owned. These forests provide numerous environmental benefits such as improved air, water, and wildlife habitat. Our forests also contribute significantly to our economy with a Kentucky forest industry who employs approximately 60,000 and contributes more than $14 billion annually to the Kentucky economy. Kentucky’s forests can be healthier and more productive by implementing sustainable forest management and utilization practices.

Given the importance of forests and wildlife, it is vital to provide educators and youth with programs that facilitate greater awareness and understanding of how Kentucky’s forests and wildlife contribute to our quality of life.

Wildlife is present throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky and related activities account for $500 million in annual revenue. Kentucky also has a substantial agricultural industry, with many producers dealing with income and crop losses due to wildlife related damage. Also, with 95% of the state privately owned there are a substantial number of citizens dealing with wildlife management and damage issues. We believe there is a need for programs, publications, and information for proper wildlife habitat, population, and damage management.

Water and soil quality and health along with compliance of chemical use is vital for agriculture. Non-compliance can impact eligibility for cost share and/or federal funding, result in legal ramification, and loss of business. Extension encourages Integrated Pest Management and promotes the Kentucky Pollinator Protection Plan.

Kentucky has over 90,000 miles of streams and rivers. Many of these stream miles are impaired by pollution such as sediment, bacteria, and excess nutrients. Urban areas, agricultural areas, and construction sites are examples of sources of these pollutants. Landowners are often confused about how to manage challenges associated with streams on their property. Regulatory restrictions concerning stream maintenance can be confusing and many streams are subject to increased erosion, scoured streambanks, and pollution from adjacent land uses.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Kentucky’s trees and forests are better protected and managed, Kentuckians have an enhanced ability to address a variety of forest health, management and utilization related issues, resulting in: increased revenue, increased forest productivity, and improved forest health, Kentucky’s forests ecosystem and economic values are enhanced, resulting in: healthier forests, improved water quality, and increased revenue, Kentucky’s forests will be better protected and understood in the future, Students pursue additional education or careers in science, forestry and/or natural resources, Participants create or implement a forestry/natural resource improvement project (ex. tree plantings, stream clean-up, habitat creation, and invasive plant removal). Participants share information about the community’s forests/natural resources (ex: citizen science – Adopt-A-Tree / Feeder Watch).
Decrease in the amount of wildlife damage complaints to KDFWR and county extension agents. Decrease in economic losses caused by wildlife as it relates to the agricultural sector, Improvement and increase in the overall quantity and quality of wildlife habitat within the state. Increase in the overall public’s ability to recognize and manage wildlife damage related issues, Participants will share information and/or advocate on the value and purpose of native wildlife in their community, to elected officials and decision makers.
Recognize Integrated Pest Management practices, Identify safe chemical management practices Recognize correct use and storage methods Gain knowledge on establishing pollinator habitats, maintenance, processing, and/or marketing honey, Gain knowledge of backyard streams, watersheds, stream ecology & best practices, Gain knowledge of water quality in urban areas
Sustain Kentucky Agriculture; social, economic, and environmental. Minimize environmental impact. Support new and beginning agriculture producers. Sustain and improve Kentucky natural resources (water, soil).

Intermediate Outcomes:

Forest health, management and utilization activities/practices that support sustainable forests are implemented. Individuals and policy makers make more informed decisions regarding managing and utilizing forest resources. Timber harvest operations abide by all laws and regulations. Forest industry implements more quality control and improvement programs. Youth participants complete a forestry/natural resources educational project (ex. county/state fair project). Youth will investigate career opportunities in science, forestry, and natural resources.
An increase in the implementation of wildlife management practices on private property, increase in the implementation of wildlife damage management techniques especially those that are non-lethal, increase in the amount of quality wildlife habitat present in the landscape.
Integrate new cultural management tactics, Include biological controls. Alter existing spray program to reduce likelihood of resistance development or non-target impacts. Employ best practices. Complete KY Pesticide Applicators Training. Train in Worker Protection Standards. Use personal protection equipment. Update spray program. Test pesticide application water. Select alternate materials. Adapt for good practices in chemical handling, storage and/or disposal. Evaluate weather conditions before applying chemicals. Communicate when using chemicals. Implement best practice to improve soil health, conserve soil and/or water, increase soil organic matter, improve soil structure for water infiltration or retention, increase ground cover for soil protection, improve water quality, protect stream banks, or stream buffers, and plant native plants. Develop or update Ag Water Quality Plan. Develop or update nutrient management plan, adjust rate, timing, placement and/or source of nutrients. Adopt changes to improve the water quality of forested streams.

Initial Outcomes:

Change in awareness and understanding of the importance of trees, forests, and wildlife in both rural and urban environments. Identifying forests and natural resources in their community. Importance of forest products, such as wood, in everyday life , Stewardship – managing forests and natural resources to provide products as well as protect the environment. Environmental, social, and economic importance of trees, threats facing forests and their utilization. Laws impacting forest health, management, and utilization. Sources of forest health, management, and utilization assistance management. Forest health, management, and utilization practices. Increased participation in 4-H Forestry and other natural resource education programs.
Increase the public knowledge about wildlife damage issues within the state. Increase the knowledge of both regulations and procedures for dealing with wildlife damage. Improvement in positive opinions in regard to all wildlife species within the state. Improve the skills of both county agents, state and federal personnel, and community leaders on how to identify and deal with wildlife habitat, population, and damage management.
Recognize Integrated Pest Management practices. Use Extension resources in making decisions related to pollinators, habitats and/or processing or marketing honey. Identify safe chemical management practices. Recognize correct use and storage methods.
Gain knowledge of backyard streams, watersheds, stream ecology & best practices. Gain knowledge of water quality in urban areas.

Evaluation:

Long-Term Outcome: Implementation of recommended environmental best management practices and lessons; action for the improvement and protection of the environment; improvement of the environment by implementing knowledge and practices.
Indicator: Number of trees/windflowers planted, acres of land preserved, number of property owners, farmers, certified arborists, municipal employees and educators that implement best management practices and lessons, number of pounds of litter collected, number of CEUs earned by participants, numbers of birdfeeders/ birdhouses/ bat houses and nesting wreaths constructed, amount of non-native plants eradicated, number of shiitake logs produced.
Method: Written evaluations and surveys completed by participants, personal observations, teacher comments and testimonials.
Timeline: Knowledge gained and baseline data at end of activity. Follow-up evaluation = 6 months - 1 year; end of lesson/program, follow-up to verify sustainability; follow up surveys with participants to inquire about implemented practices.

Intermediate Outcome: Knowledge of recommended environmental best management practices, acquisition of environmental knowledge, demonstration of environmental knowledge. Indicator: Responses on evaluations and surveys, testimonials, teacher/leader evaluations, correct responses on evaluations including tests.
Method: Written evaluations completed by teachers, leaders of programs, and students, written evaluations by participants, verbal comments, eye witness accounts, responses on follow-up surveys.
Timeline: Knowledge gained and baseline data at end of activity. Follow-up evaluation = 6 months - 1 year, knowledge gained and baseline data by end of lesson, follow-up evaluation at end of school year, during programs.

Initial Outcome: Knowledge of recommended environmental best management practices, acquisition of environmental knowledge.
Indicator: Responses on evaluations and surveys, testimonials, teacher/leader evaluations, correct responses on evaluations including tests.
Method: Written evaluations and verbal comments, written evaluations completed by teachers, leaders of programs, students, written evaluations by program participants and verbal comments.
Timeline: Knowledge gained and baseline data at end of activity. Follow-up evaluation = 6 months - 1 year, knowledge gained and baseline data by end of lesson, follow-up evaluation at end of school year, immediately following class or program

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: General Public & City/County Officials
Project or Activity: Invasive species/Non-native plant management and control
Content and Curriculum: Identification, use of management tools including herbicides
Inputs: paid staff
Date: Throughout the year

Audience: General Public & Youth
Project or Activity: River Sweep
Content or Curriculum: Litter collection along Ohio River
Inputs: paid staff, volunteers, Pendery Park
Date: Aug. 2023

Audience: General Public (Youth and Adults)
Project or Activity: Campbell County Trail Passport Project
Content or Curriculum: Trail maps for 18 parks and greenspaces
Inputs: 12 cities in the county collaborated, Planning and Development Service for GIS support
Date: July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024

Audience: General Public & Youth
Project or Activity: Reforest Campbell County
Content or Curriculum: Tree planting and tree seedling giveaway to engage the public and improve the environment
Inputs: paid staff, volunteers, planting site on public property (to be determined)
Date: April 2024

Audience: General Public and City/County Officials
Project or Activity: Land Management Assistance including Wildlife habitat improvement/control, erosion control, natural lands preservation
Content or Curriculum: Natural Resource Conservation Service, Conservation easement information
Inputs: paid staff, UK/other publications
Date: throughout the year

Audience: General Public and City/County Officials
Project or Activity: Arboriculture/Forestry Assistance to property owners
Content or Curriculum: International Society of Arboriculture recommended practices, formal education
Inputs: paid staff
Date: throughout the year

Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Ornithology Assistance
Content or Curriculum: Identification of birds, bird biology and ecology
Inputs: paid staff
Date: throughout the year

Audience: Public Workers, Tree Board Members, Certified Arborists, General Public
Project or Activity: Tree Seminar for N KY Municipal Employees, Tree Boards and general public
Content or Curriculum: Proper tree selection, planting and management, ISA recommended practices (ISA CEUs available)
Inputs: paid staff, volunteers
Date: Early March 2024

Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Wildlife Habitat Improvement/Management Assistance
Content or Curriculum: Best management practices to attract wildlife
Inputs: paid staff
Date: throughout the year

Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: waste management assistance
Content or Curriculum: appropriate management of solid waste including reduce, reuse, recycle
Inputs: local solid waste coordinator, waste haulers, landfills, recycling centers and services
Date: throughout the year

Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: NKY Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event
Content or Curriculum: Collection and Disposal of electronics and household hazardous waste through vendors paid by a state grant
Inputs: Division of Waste Management grant, NKY Household Hazardous Waste Action Coalition, Disposal Vendors
Date: November 5, 2023

Audience: Cities, schools, churches, neighborhood associations, etc. and volunteers
Project or Activity: Environmental Stewardship Grant
Content or Curriculum: Grant funding/application/project assistance for community gardens, outdoor classrooms, educational plantings for non-profits
Inputs: paid staff, volunteers, district board grant funding
Date: Grant deadline and funding fall 2020. Projects must be completed by mid-June 2023

Audience: Teachers & Educators
Project or Activity: Lesson planning w/teachers
Content or Curriculum: various environmental education curriculum
Inputs: paid staff
Date: throughout the year

Audience: Students, Teachers
Project or Activity: outdoor classroom and raised bed gardening programs
Content or Curriculum: environmental studies (plants, animals, ecosystems)
Inputs: paid staff
Date: September, October, November 2023, March, April, May 2024

Audience: Students, Teachers
Project or Activity: Consumer Actions and Decisions Influence the Environment
Content or Curriculum: various solid waste topics (recycling and sustainability topics, littering, etc.) ABC (A Bench for Caps) Program – Green Tree Plastics
Inputs: paid staff
Date: Throughout the year

Audience: Students, Teachers
Project or Activity: Bird Nesting Box Workshops
Content or Curriculum: bluebird nesting box construction, bird ecology, interdependent relationships in ecosystems
Inputs: paid staff
Date: January, February, March 2024

Audience: Students, Teachers
Project or Activity: Why Feed Birds? - Birdfeeder Workshop
Content or Curriculum: Bird ecology/constructing feeders for school grounds, interdependent relationships in ecosystems
Inputs: paid staff
Date: Jan - April 2024

Audience: Students, Teachers
Project or Activity: Arbor Day and Earth Day programs
Content or Curriculum: tree and wildflower planting to engage students in the improvement of the environment
Inputs: paid staff
Date: April 2024

Audience: general public and youth
Project or Activity: Jolly Thursdays with Campbell County Public Library and Parks and Recreation Department
Content or Curriculum: Science and Arts
Inputs: paid staff
Date: Thursdays on June-July 2023/2024

Audience: general public
Project or Activity: Aquatic Ecology
Content or Curriculum: Hands-on workshop, ecological education, environmental awareness
Inputs: paid staff
Date: July 2023, May, June 2024

Audience: general public
Project or Activity: Wilderness Walks
Content or Curriculum: Flower ID, environmental awareness and education
Inputs: paid staff
Date: July, September, November 2023, March, May 2024

Audience: general public
Project or Activity: Night Hikes
Content or Curriculum: Nocturnal Education, environmental awareness and education
Inputs: paid staff
Date: December 2023, February, March 2024

Audience: general public
Project or Activity: Afternoon of Birding
Content or Curriculum: Bird ID, ecological education, environmental awareness
Inputs: paid staff
Date: July, September, December 2023, March 2024

Audience: general public
Project or Activity: Snakes
Content or Curriculum: Hands-on workshop, wildlife education, environmental awareness
Inputs: paid staff
Date: June 2024

Audience: general public
Project or Activity: Campbell County Animals
Content or Curriculum: Hands-on workshop, ecological education, environmental awareness
Inputs: paid staff
Date: January, February 2024

Audience: general public
Project or Activity: Nature Crafts
Content or Curriculum: Hands-on workshop, ecological education, environmental awareness
Inputs: paid staff
Date: April 2024

Audience: general public
Project or Activity: Wreath Making
Content or Curriculum: Hands-on workshop, ecological education, environmental awareness
Inputs: paid staff
Date: December 2023, February 2024

Audience: general public
Project or Activity: Nature Scavenger Hunt
Content or Curriculum: Hands-on workshop, ecological education, environmental awareness
Inputs: paid staff
Date: February, March 2024

Audience: general public
Project or Activity: Animal Habitat
Content or Curriculum: Wildlife awareness and education
Inputs: paid staff
Date: March 2024

Audience: general public
Project or Activity: Animal Tracking
Content or Curriculum: Hands-on workshop, ecological education, environmental awareness
Inputs: paid staff
Date: October 2023, January, March 2024

Audience: 4-H members, various scouts
Project or Activity: 4-H Clubs and Scouts Environmental volunteer projects
Content or Curriculum: Wildflower, Trees, and Grassland planting, as well as non-native control, to improve the environment
Inputs: paid staff and volunteers
Date: throughout the year, July 2023 - June 2024

Audience: general public
Project or Activity: Build a Birdhouse
Content or Curriculum: Hands-on workshop, ecological education, environmental awareness
Inputs: paid staff
Date: December 2023, February, March 2024

Audience: general public
Project or Activity: Build a Bat house
Content or Curriculum: Hands-on workshop, ecological education, environmental awareness
Inputs: paid staff
Date: April 2024

Audience: general public
Project or Activity: Build a Birdfeeder
Content or Curriculum: Hands-on workshop, ecological education, environmental awareness
Inputs: paid staff
Date: December 2023, February 2024

Audience: public and private elementary students
Project or Activity: Fall Environmental Day Camp
Content or Curriculum: Reptiles and amphibians, solar energy, raptors, botany
Inputs: paid staff, KY Reptile Zoo employees
Date: September - October 2023

Audience: public and private elementary, middle and high school students
Project or Activity: Spring Field Trips
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky's Plants and Animals, Ecosystems and Ecology
Inputs: paid staff
Date: March - May 2024

Audience: general public
Project or Activity: Shiitake Mushroom Production Workshop
Content or Curriculum: growing, harvesting, marketing and cooking
Inputs: paid staff
Date: February 2024

Audience: general public, NKU students, Environmental Careers Course
Project or Activity: Tour and overview of jobs in Extension
Content or Curriculum: Environmental Education Center and UK Extension Resources
Inputs: paid staff, NKU professor
Date: August/September 2023

Audience: general public
Project or Activity: Environmental/Land Management Assistance
Content or Curriculum: wildlife management, forestry, etc.
Inputs: paid staff
Date: throughout the year 2023-2024

Audience: Farmers
Activity: Farm Chemical Collection Program
Content or Curriculum: Unwanted farm chemical collection
Inputs: Kentucky Department of Agriculture Farm Chemical Collection Program, Agent
Date: July 28, 2023

Audience: Farmers
Activity: Rinse and Return Recycling Program
Content or Curriculum: KY Department of Agriculture Rinse and Return Program
Inputs: Kentucky Department of Ag, Extension publications & DVD
Date: September 2023

Audience: Farmers
Activity: Pesticide Safety Certification
Content or Curriculum: Private Applicators Pesticide Training
Inputs: Kentucky Department of Ag, Extension publications & DVD, agent
Date: February 2024 and as requested

Success Stories

Fall Field Trips at the Campbell County Environmental Education Center Address Next Generation Science Standards

Author: DJ Scully

Major Program: Agriculture & Natural Resources

According to the United State Environmental Protection Agency, “environmental education is a process that allows individuals to explore environmental issues, engage in problem solving, and take action to improve the environment. As a result, individuals develop a deeper understanding of environmental issues and have the skills to make informed and responsible decisions.”   The Campbell County Extension Agent for Natural Resources and Environmental Management provides field trips