Since 2022, Kentucky State University’s Forestry and Natural Resources Program has fostered a meaningful and impactful partnership with Josephine Sculpture Park (JSP) in Frankfort, KY. Rooted in a shared commitment to ecological stewardship, public education, and community engagement, this collaboration has grown into a model of what university-community partnerships can achieve.

When I joined the program as an Extension Associate, one of my first major initiatives was to formalize our relationship with JSP through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This agreement laid the foundation for a long-term partnership aimed at supporting the park’s ecological goals while providing opportunities for research, outreach, and public education. Now, three years later, that vision has not only taken root, its thriving. 

Building Ecological Success, One Sapling at a Time

JSP had a growing need: the successful establishment and management of hundreds of tree saplings planted to restore native ecosystems and create wildlife habitat within the park. Through our partnership, the KSU Forestry and Natural Resources team has provided consistent land management support, including seasonal mowing, invasive species control, and monitoring to ensure sapling survival and healthy growth. Our team has maintained this support annually. In addition to the tree saplings, small areas once overrun with invasives have since been removed, creating a healthier, more biodiverse environment for both wildlife and park visitors.

Beyond ecological work, one of the most valuable aspects of this partnership has been our ability to bring environmental education to the community. Together with JSP, we’ve hosted several small public workshops on topics such as invasive species identification and control and habitat enhancement. These workshops empower local landowners, educators, and even youth with the knowledge and tools to be better environmental stewards. We’ve also developed educational video content and upcoming fact sheets filmed on-site at JSP to expand our outreach beyond those able to attend in-person events.

Impact on the Community and Beyond

For JSP, our technical expertise and on-the-ground support have helped advance their mission to connect art, nature, and people. The healthier landscapes we help maintain serve as both ecological preserves and inspiring educational spaces.

For community members, this partnership has provided accessible, relevant, and hands-on learning opportunities. Participants consistently report increased knowledge and confidence in managing their own land and making more ecologically sound decisions.

For KSU, this relationship has enhanced our visibility and strengthened our role as a trusted resource for natural resource management in central Kentucky.

Looking Ahead

Our collaboration with Josephine Sculpture Park is not just a project, it’s a partnership built on shared values and a deep commitment to environmental sustainability, public education, and community support. As we move forward, we are excited to continue developing innovative outreach strategies, expand our research initiatives, and build new educational programs that benefit both the land and the people who care for it.

This partnership exemplifies the mission of KSU's Cooperative Extension and the Forestry and Natural Resources Program: to serve communities through science-based education and practical, hands-on support. Together with JSP, we are planting the seeds for a healthier, more informed, and more connected future. We are looking forward to our continued relationship with JSP and what programs will come in the future. 

Through this partnership, we have reached more than 50 individuals, including community members, landowners, natural resource professionals, agency partners, and KSU Forestry staff. While our workshops and programs have been intentionally small to allow for hands-on learning and meaningful engagement, we are hopeful and excited to grow these efforts to reach even more people. As we continue to collaborate and build new programs together with JSP, we expect our impact to reach these networks of conservation-minded individuals across the region.