Success StoryFrom the Woods Today Presentations, 2024



From the Woods Today Presentations, 2024

Author: Lee Moser

Planning Unit: Agriculture and Natural Resources Programs

Major Program: Water and Soil Quality and Conservation

Outcome: Initial Outcome

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 continues to serve 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 a wide range of guest speakers including 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 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@UKForestryExtension As of July 2024, more than 206 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. I personally presented on three episodes during FY24 including the benefits of forests to water quality, wetlands, and groundwater quality. Direct contacts for the three episodes included 110 individuals with 1,933 indirect contacts.






Stories by Lee Moser


Wolf Run Watershed Residential Stormwater Demonstration and Outreach Program

about 3 years ago by Lee Moser

Over the past year our working group has partnered with the Friends of Wolf Run to develop a demonst... Read More


Developing a Statewide Kentucky Master Naturalist Organization and Partner Network

about 3 years ago by Lee Moser

The Kentucky Master Naturalist Program is an extension program with a curriculum designed to engage ... Read More


Stories by Agriculture and Natural Resources Programs


Extramural Funding for Beginning Farmers & Job Creation for Colleague

about 3 years ago by Ricky Yeargan

Senior Extension Associate led a team that submitted a Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Prog... Read More


Ag Water Quality- collaboration with Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute (KWRRI)

about 3 years ago by Tammy Brewster-Barnes

In collaboration with Steve Evans and others at the KWRRI, two projects have been started to improve... Read More