Success Story: Woodland Owners’ Short Course

Michele Stanton, Kenton County Agent for Horticulture

Kentucky’s woodlands are one of the state’s most important natural and economic resources. Over 47% of the state’s land mass is comprised of woodlands—more than 25,000,000 acres. The state’s forest industries gross more than 6 billion dollars annually from the sale of timber, furniture, paper, and other forest-derived goods.  The recreation industry is important as well—picnicking, camping, boating, waterskiing, hunting and fishing all depend on the integrity of the state’s woodlands. With regards to our forests as natural resources, the ecosystem services provided are immense: our forests filter water, help control erosion, prevention much flooding, mitigate air pollution and sequester C02, to name a few. If properly managed, these woodlands will be renewable resources indefinitely.

Despite these impressive-sounding numbers, more than 700,000 acres of woodlands were lost between 1988 and 2004, mostly to development. The vast majority of Kentucky’s woodlands are privately owned, so it is increasingly important to educate these landowners as to the value of their woods and their proper care and management. 

In an effort to educate private landowners, the Kentucky Department of Forestry, along with the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, the Department of Fish and Wildlife and other private and public partners, offers the Woodland Owners’ Short Course. This one-day program trains landowners in areas such as Creating a Woodland Management Plan, Managing Woodlands for Wildlife Habitat, Invasive Plants and Insects, Tree Planting, Financial and Technical Assistance, Ash Trees and Emerald Ash Borer, Shopping for Trees, Growing Mushrooms, and more. Kenton County's Agriculture and Horticulture agents hosted this even last September 23rd; it was attended by more than 80 persons. 

The short term outcomes for this course included the following post-test results: 100% of respondents felt they were better prepared to manage their woods; 94% indicated they were planning to use their new knowledge of invasive plants and insects; 85% felt more confident about identifying trees on their property; 72% planned to use their new knowledge when dealing with wildlife; 65% reported they were more knowledgeable about organizations and resources for woodland management assistance; 50% of property owners without a formal management plan in place intended to make one or update an old one. 

Post-program testing for intermediate outcomes indicated that 95% of respondents (owners of an average of 79 acres each) were going to implement one or more management practices to improve the quality of their woodlands.

Long term impacts will include increased revenue through the use of a professional forester to help with timber sales; improved wildlife habitat; increased woodland health; and improved woodland productivity. Participants asked for future educational opportunities for woodland education as well. I call that success!