Forests are key to Kentucky’s economic and environmental wellbeing. The state is 47% forested with over 12 million acres of woodlands and, collectively, the forest sector contributes over $13.5 billion annually to the state’s economy and impacts over 60,398 jobs.   However, a range of insects, diseases, invasive plants, and other issues threaten the sustainability of our forests, woodlands, and urban trees. For example, the invasive emerald ash borer alone is estimated to cost Kentucky over $95 million annually. Forest health challenges are diverse, and a wide range of players needs to be engaged to implement on-the-ground improvement in management.

To increase understanding of these issues and facilitate increased communication, I organized and spoke at the Kentucky Forest Health Conference on February 7, 2024, working with partners including the Kentucky Division of Forestry and the Kentucky Office of the State Entomologist.   This year’s conference was offered in-person, a return from several years offering the conference online.  Over 240 people attended including land managers, agency officials, professionals, and landowners.  CEUs were provided to professionals including county agents (in-service), the Society of American Foresters, Kentucky Pesticide Applicators, and others. 

Invited speakers from around the country presented on a range of topics, from new research into management techniques to success stories.  Topics included:

• Major forest health issues in Kentucky
• Spotted lanternfly 
• Drones and forest health
• Spongy moth
• New invasive plants
• Brown spot needle blight
• Elm zigzag sawfly
• Emerald ash borer biological control

Of the 114 attendees who completed our post-conference survey, 100% reported that their expectations were met or exceeded. 

• Professionals: Over 61% of those attending are forestry professionals who advise on woodland management.  They reported advising on over 1,806,277 acres of forested land in Kentucky and beyond, with an average acreage advised on of 34,081 per professional.  These professionals reported working with 1,428 landowners in the past year (~32 landowners/ professional).  They estimated that 343,770 acres will change management because of information learned in this conference, in particular planning to increase invasive plant management (24%), scouting for threats (25%), connecting to new resources or professionals (21%), and using new technology in their management (16%).
• Landowners: In addition, over 35% of attendees also own woodlands, 4,627 acres total (~128 acres/ person responding).  These landowners estimated that forest health issues cause an average cost of $334/ acre on their land and that the information learned in this conference would change management on over 2,476 acres of land, in particular planning to increase invasive plant management (28%), scouting for threats (30%), managing insect pests (16%), and connecting to new resources or professionals (14%).

Based on this positive response and high attendance, we plan to continue this conference into the future.