According to the Kentucky Energy & Environment Cabinet, Kentucky is second in the United States for the most diverse hardwood species mix.  Forty-eight percent or 12.4 million acres of Kentucky is forestland and eighty-eight percent of Kentucky's forestland is owned by private landowners.  The 2017 Census of Agriculture shows that 38% of the farmland in Carter County is woodlands.   Grayson is also known as the “heart of the parks” because of its close proximity to three state parks.    

In an effort to help local residents and tourists learn to correctly identify trees, the Carter County ANR Agent worked with local parks to install tree identification markers on several common trees.   In addition to the UK CAFE Extension logo and in some cases the park logo, the markers listed the common and scientific name of the tree and a QR code to access a UK Forestry Extension video or factsheet about the tree.   

Sixty-three markers were placed along trails at the Grayson Walking Track, Grayson Lake US Army Corps of Engineers, Grayson Sports Park, and Carter Caves State Resort Park.  Within an hour of placing the markers at Carter Caves, staff observed visitors using the QR codes to learn more about trees.   The Extension Office received several other compliments from local residents and park staff about the benefit of the markers.  The project will also aid parents and students with the annual 4^th grade 4-H leaf collection project. 

The ANR Agent has ordered an additional 100 markers to add at the existing sites, as well as the Olive Hill City Park and Grayson Lake State Park.