Forest health is a rapidly changing field and communication between key stakeholders is needed to ensure that decisions are made in a timely manner.  The arrival of a new invasive insects, pathogens, or plants with the ability to cause widespread ecological and economic damage requires prompt, coordinated response.  However, communication about forest health is hampered by the fact that a wide range of different professionals, from academic researchers, to agency officials, to professionals, are needed to make key decisions and avenues where members of these different groups meet and discuss issues are rare.  To improve this and enhance the Kentucky’s forest health capacity, Forest Health Extension Specialist Dr. Ellen Crocker has initiated semi-annual meetings of the Kentucky Forest Health Task Force.  This diverse group of ~25 individuals shares information about forest health issues and identifies needs to improve the health of the forests of our commonwealth. 

The Kentucky Forest Health Task Force was initially convened in 2003, sparked by members of the Kentucky Woodlands Owners Association who recognized the need for increased communication between professionals, researchers, and landowners about issues affecting the health of trees but this group has been inactive for over 10 years.  Dr. Crocker worked with the Office of the State Entomologist to reconvene these meetings with a wide group of members including representatives from Kentucky Division of Forestry, Kentucky Woodland Owners Association, Kentucky Forest Industries Association, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Farm Bureau, Daniel Boone National Forest, Kentucky Invasive Plant Council and others.  

Over the past year, this group has met twice, in December 2018 and April 2019.  A clear example of the value of this group occurred at the April meeting.  Prior to this meeting, funding for a state-wide monitoring program essential for maintaining the health of Kentucky’s woodlands had been withheld indefinitely.  At the meeting, representatives from the monitoring group presented to representatives from the funding organization and the value of this program was made clear.  Within one week, the necessary funds were approved for release.  This program is known to save Kentuckians $4 for every $1 spent due to the benefit to tree health and the task force meeting was able provide a valuable forum for facilitating this communication and resulting management.