Forestry Systems and Water IssuesPlan of Work
Russell County CES
Title:
Forestry Systems and Water Issues
MAP:
Enviromental Stewardship and Natural Resources
Agents Involved:
ANR, 4-HYD
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Wildlife Habitat and Damage Management Education
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Agriculture
Situation:
Kentucky is 48% forested, with a total of 12,379,171 forested acres and 88% privately owned. Russell County is slightly above the percent forested at 53%, with 91,263 forested acres with 75% privately owned, according to the most recent Forest Inventory and Analysis performed by the US Forest Service and KY Division of Forestry in 2016. Russell County is also home to Lake Cumberland, which covers 65,530 acres in multiple counties, with Russell being home to a large percent of the lake.
With over half of the county covered in forest or water, and millions of visitors to the lake and state park each year, management, and use of these resources is vital to Russell County and the local economy. Therefore, education on forestry, wildlife, natural resources, woodlands, and backyard streams is vital to a thriving and developing Russell County.
Long-Term Outcomes:
Russell County's trees and forests are better protected and managed
Russell County residents 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
Russell County forests ecosystem and economic values are enhanced, resulting in: healthier forests, improved water quality, and increased revenue
Improvement and increase in the overall quantity and quality of wildlife habitat within Russell County
Russell County'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)
Sustain and improve Russell County Natural Resources
Participants adopt long-term strategies to protect natural resources.
Intermediate Outcomes:
Forest health, management and utilization activities/practices that support sustainable forests are implemented
Timber harvest operations abide by all laws and regulations
Forest industry implements more quality control and improvement
Increase in the amount of quality wildlife habitat present in the landscape
An increase in the implementation of wildlife management practices on private property
Youth will investigate career opportunities in science, forestry and natural resources
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 • 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
Youth will explore forestry and natural resource education through hands-on activities. Youth adopt conservation practices.
Initial Outcomes:
Environmental, social, and economic importance of trees
Sources of forest health, management and utilization assistance management
Forest health, management and utilization practices
Improvement in positive opinions in regards 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
Change in awareness and understanding of: • 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 • Increased participation in 4-H Forestry and other natural resource education programs
Youth gain knowledge and appreciation of botany, forestry, and natural resource conservation.
Evaluation:
Outcome: Better overall mgt. of woodlands to increase forest health, and utilization
Indicator: Better management of woodland acres in the county
Method: Surveys and on farm visits
Timeline: Beginning of course, end of course, visits as needed
Outcome: Youth participate in yearly stream clean ups or tree planting
Indicator: Youth become involved in so type of natural resources club or group
Method: Number of youth that report being involved in group or club
Timeline: Yearly
Outcome: Sustain and improve natural resources for county
Indicator: More acres of natural habitat are planted, marginal land returns to forest or native grass, wildlife habitat is increased
Method: Number of acres managed or put back into woodlands.
Timeline: Yearly
Outcome: Producers fill out and follow Ag Water Quality Plan and conduct more soil test
Indicator: Increase in the number of AWQP and increase in number of soil test
Method: Number of AWQP filled out and number of soil test recommendations returned
Timeline: Yearly
Outcome: Youth participate in natural resource and forestry/botany education
Indicator: Youth adopt one practice for tree health.
Method: participant self-evaluation
Timeline: post-program
Learning Opportunities:
Overall Audience: Youth and Adults
Main Audience: Adults
Activity: Forestry Webinars
Content or Curriculum: Various topics
Date: 2x year
Main Audience: Adults
Activity: Field Days
Content or Curriculum: Various topics
Date: Spring and Fall
Main Audience: Youth
Activity: Youth- Nature Club
Content or Curriculum: Day of hiking and education on forest and water issues
Date: 3x year
Main Audience: ANR Program Council
Activity: Programming Ideas
Content or Curriculum: Program Ideas
Date: Spring and Fall
Audience: 4th grade youth
Activity: Botany education
Curriculum: Jr. Master Gardener; 4-H natural resource curricula
Date: during school year
Audience: Elementary age
Activity: Soil Structure Kits
Curriculum: Nitty Gritty Soil Test Kits
Date: Fall 2024, during school year
Audience: Youth and Adults
Activity: Community Earth Day Celebration
Curriculum: 4-H natural resource activities
Date: April 2025
Audience: Agriculture Producers
Activity: Ag Water Quality Plans
Curriculum: Ag Water Quality Workbook
Date: As needed
Audience: Youth and Adults
Activity: Hunter Education
Curriculum: Hunter Education Presentation
Date: As needed in community and school
Audience: Adults
Activity: Hook and Cook/Field to Fork
Curriculum: UK curriculum
Date: Yearly
Audience: Adults
Activity: Wildlife Control Workshop
Curriculum: Field days
Date: Fall and Spring
Audience: Adults
Activity: Forest Health
Curriculum: UK Provided
Date: 2024-2025
- Acting Associate Dean & Director — Craig Wood, Ph.D.
- S107 Ag. Science Center North
- Lexington, KY 40546-0091
- +1 (859) 257-4302
© 2024 University of Kentucky, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment