The University of Kentucky Department of Forestry and Natural Resources Extension team worked with Forestry and Natural Resource professionals from across the southeast US to deliver a regional educational program for woodland owners. The program goal was to empower woodland owners to undertake environmental and forest health actions by increasing their awareness, experience, and access to technical and financial resources. The educational series consisted of five programs on: “Getting to Know Your Woodlands”, “Managing Your Woodlands”, “Identifying and Managing Woodland Threats”, “Wildlife and Woodlands”, and “Forestry and Wildlife Assistance in Kentucky”.  

More than 30 county extension agents/staff hosted the series at county extension offices across the state; in total, Kentucky’s attendance for the series was over 600. The program attendees owned more than 78,361 woodland acres. Over 92% of participants indicated the information was easy to understand and 93% of the attendees reported they now know who to contact with questions about their woodland as a result of this workshop. Working with a professional forester or natural resource professional is recommended for woodland owners trying to make their woodlands more productive and healthier. Knowing who to contact is an important first step and can be considered a positive impact of the webinar series: over 43% of Kentucky attendees said they planned to contact a natural resource professional (extension, forester, wildlife, NRCS, etc.) within the next three months about their property. Based on the overwhelming success of this program the organizers are planning a follow-up series to be conducted in 2020.