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 woodland management, tree identification, invasive species, forest health, wildlife habitat management, and many other forestry-related topics. This program serves as a key communication link and educational outlet between county Extension agents/staff, those who depend on or care about Kentucky’s woodlands and wildlife, and the UK Department of Forestry and Natural Resources Extension team.

Billy Thomas and Reneé Williams serve as hosts, interviewing numerous individuals such as University of Kentucky Extension specialists and faculty with expertise in forestry, watersheds, wildlife, tree improvement, and other related topics. The program also spotlights Kentucky forestry and natural resources partners such as the Kentucky Division of Forestry, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Natural Resources Conservation Service, State Nature Preserves, Kentucky Forest Industries Association, American Chestnut Foundation, Kentucky Woodland Owners Association, and Kentucky Tree Farm Committee. 

The live From the Woods Today program allows viewers to interact directly with hosts and presenters. In addition, the program provides continuing education credits for county Extension agents. While some participate in the live program, through Zoom or Facebook Live, many more viewers access the educational content through recordings posted to the department’s Extension YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/c/UKForestryandNaturalResourcesExtension). As of July 2023, more than 159 full episodes of the show have been posted to the From the Woods Today playlist.  In addition to long-form episodes, individual show segments are produced into shorter videos on the channel to increase viewership. From May 2020 to July 2023, these From the Woods Today videos (and others on the channel) have been viewed more than 763,556 times. 

Representing my focus area of forest health, I have delivered a range of presentations through this series in the past year including shows on invasive plants, woodland health, fungi, and tree threats. These presentations have increased the ability of viewers to recognize key tree health issues, identify common invasive plants and fungi, enact land management practices to promote woodland health, and engage appropriate forestry professionals about issues as they arise in the future.  In addition, I have added each episode to KERS and provided credits for agents that join live for the show and discussion after.