Author: Stacy White
Major Program: Wildlife Habitat and Damage Management Education
NRESci Success Story Program Year 2024 The Kentucky 4-H Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences Academy (NRESci) strives to increase environmental literacy among youth in Kentucky. Every five years (since 1999) the Kentucky Environmental Education Council (KEEC) conducts a survey to assess Kentuckian’s environmental knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. According to KEEC’s 2020-2025 Environmental Education Master Plan (2020), “… the average Kentuckian is able to
Author: Trent Adkins
Nestled in the picturesque landscapes surrounding Lake Cumberland, a remarkable initiative has blossomed, forging connections between community members and their natural environment: the Lake Cumberland Area Wildlife Management Series. This comprehensive program, comprised of four enriching sessions, has empowered participants with the knowledge and skills needed to manage wildlife effectively while fostering a deeper appreciation for the biodiversity that thrives in our region. Session 1:
Author: Matthew Springer
From the Woods Today, 2024 The University of Kentucky Department of Forestry and Natural Resources Extension team launched the weekly online program From the Woods Today in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the program remains an important component of our forestry and natural resources Extension programming efforts (https://forestry.ca.uky.edu/woods-today). The From the Woods Today program features current information on woodlands and wildlife in Kentucky including presentations on woo
Invasive Plant Education Program, 2024 Invasive plants are a major issue in Kentucky and beyond, impacting a wide range of habitats from forests to grasslands. Already there are many different invasive trees, shrubs, vines, grasses, and herbaceous plants that cause problems in the state. In addition, new plants arrive each year. From recognizing and managing invasives to selecting non-invasive plants for landscaping, the public needs more information about invasive plants
Author: Kelsey Marcum
Hunting is an integral part of conservation and sustaining Kentucky's wildlife. Hunters are required to maintain proper licenses and certifications to legally hunt Kentucky wildlife. One of those certifications being the hunter education course which is required for all hunters ages 12 and up. Unfortunately, the number of people certified to teach this training has dwindled greatly in recent years. Because of this Casey County had not had a training offered for local hunters in many years un
Title: Thriving Ecosystems, Engaged Community: The Success of the Lake Cumberland Area Wildlife Management SeriesNestled in the picturesque landscapes surrounding Lake Cumberland, a remarkable initiative has blossomed, forging connections between community members and their natural environment: the Lake Cumberland Area Wildlife Management Series. This comprehensive program, comprised of four enriching sessions, has empowered participants with the knowledge and skills needed to manage wildlife ef
Author: Matthew Futrell
Hunting has been a time honored tradition since man first walked the earth. As of 2021, 15.2 Million Americans hold hunting license allowing them to follow this tradition. Even as more hunters are taking to the woods recreationally we have been seeing a decline in hunting related accidents. According to the International Hunter education Association, “Educational programs on firearm safety have had a significant role in bringing accidental fatalities down by 42% over the
Author: John Tucker
Crop production uses 85% of the land in the river counties in far Western Kentucky. There are over 11,000 acres of Wildlife Management Areas in Carlisle, Hickman, and Fulton Counties (Public Land Search on KDFWR website). Most landowners want a balance of wildlife with minimum damage to crops. Due to a decline in harvest numbers of wild turkeys and increasing problems with predator animals, agriculture agents in Carlisle, Hickman, and Fulton County decided to host a wildlife meeting
Author: Benjamin Rudy
Crop production uses 85% of our land in the river counties but we still have over 7600 acres of public hunting land beside private land used for hunting. Landowners want a balance of wildlife with minimum damage to crops. Due to a decline in harvest numbers of turkey and increased problems with predator animal’s agriculture agents in Carlisle, Hickman and Fulton County decided to host a wildlife meeting to address these concerns. Zak Danks with the Kentucky Department of Fish a
Author: Chuck Flowers
.Crop production uses 85% of our land in the river counties but we still have over 7600 acres of public hunting land besides private land used for hunting. Landowners want a balance of wildlife with minimum damage to crops. Due to a decline in harvest numbers of turkey and increased problems with predator animal’s agriculture agents in Carlisle, Hickman and Fulton County decided to host a wildlife meeting to address these concerns. Zak Danks with the Kentucky Department o
