The Woodland Owners Short Course (WOSC) educates novice and experienced private woodland owners to manage their lands and wildlife habitats. The Marshall County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources collaborated with the University of Kentucky Forestry Extension specialists and other local agencies to conduct a program in Western Kentucky. 

                       

The WOSC program in Marshall County was held on August 4th 2018. The program was adapted to address the unique characteristics of western KY woodlands. 45 participants took part in the program. They were taught woodland management practices, tree identification, identification and control of invasive plants and pests (i.e. honeysuckle, emerald ash borer), wildlife management practices, timber sales, trespass issues, and financial and technical assistance programs. Lessons consisted of not only classroom style learning but also included a field trip to a local woodland site where participants had the opportunity to see best management practices first hand. 

                       

State-wide more than 2,000 woodland owners who own over 297,000 woodland acres have attended the WOSC. The long-term impacts of the WOSC program will result in increased revenue earned from timber sales for those using a professional forester, improved wildlife habitat, increased woodland productivity, and improved woodland health. This program also increases participant’s ability to add value to their properties through increased knowledge of woodland and wildlife management practices.

                       

Kentucky’s woodlands serve as the foundation for the $13+ billion forestry sector. They also provide many other benefits that often go overlooked. Home to more than 100 tree species and thousands of other species of plants, animals, insects, fungi and microorganisms, Kentucky’s woodlands support some of the greatest biodiversity in North America. Our woodlands help to filter out pollutants and sediments before they reach our water supplies, protecting Kentucky’s extensive running waters and lakes. Woodlands help to clean air by sequestering carbon and other pollutants while also providing oxygen. Kentucky’s woodlands provide the scenic backdrop for countless tourism and outdoor recreational opportunities including hiking, camping, hunting, bird watching, nature photography, and more. These important values along with the economic contribution indicates the importance of Kentucky’s woodlands. The WOSC helps families learn how to enhance their woodlands value by teaching them how to make them as healthy and productive as possible.