The Perry County Extension Service was a host site for the 2019 Getting to Know Your Woodlands Webinar Series. This was a Primer that targeted Beginners of Kentucky’s private woodland owners. Since Perry County is close to 80 % forested, this was a perfect fit. It was designed to assist private woodland owners in the management of their woodlands as well as those with an interest in forest wildlife.

The Webinar was a partnership of UK Forestry Extension and numerous Forestry Extension Units from other nearby universities and the Southern Region Extension Forestry team. The program was web-based using the blackboard Collaborate and ZOOM webinar systems and offered five evenings of educational programming broadcast to each hosting County Extension Office.

Perry County had 21 participants attend the sessions and they represented 3,532 acres of forest land. 12 of the participants were Kentucky Master Loggers. These sessions offered Kentucky Master Logger Continuing Education Units.

Evaluations from the sessions showed participants from Perry County having gained knowledge about their woodlands. 82% of the participants from Perry County reported that they now know who to contact for professional assistance with their woodlands. 22% reported that they plan to contact a professional in the next three months to get assistants with their woodlands. 82% of the participants from Perry County reported that they were satisfied with the overall quality of the training and would recommend it to other woodland owners.

Long term impact from the webinar program will result in participants’ enhanced ability to address a variety of woodland related issues, resulting in increased revenue, increased woodland productivity, and improved woodland health. These benefits occur to the individual, their county and our commonwealth.