Forest are key to Kentucky’s economic and environmental wellbeing. The state is 47% forested with over 12 million acres of woodlands and, collectively, the forest sector contributes over $13.5 billion annually to the state’s economy and impacts over 60,398 jobs.  However, a range of insects, diseases, invasive plants, and other issues threaten the sustainability of our forests, woodlands, and urban trees. For example, the invasive emerald ash borer alone is estimated to cost Kentucky over $95 million annually. Forest health challenges are diverse, and a wide range of players needs to be engaged to implement on-the-ground improvement in management to meet these new challenges.

To increase understanding of these issues and facilitate increased communication, I organized and spoke at the Kentucky Forest Health Conference on February 5, 2021, working with partners including the Kentucky Division of Forestry and the Kentucky Office of the State Entomologist.  This year’s conference was offered over Zoom, given Covid-related restrictions, attracting 437 Extension agents, landowners, land managers, agency officials, and professionals.  This is a large increase relative to last year (the first year of the conference) which included 160 people. CEUs were provided to professionals including county agents (in-service), the Society of American Foresters, Kentucky Pesticide Applicators, and others. Invited speakers from around the country presented on a range of topics, from new research into management techniques to success stories with regard to forest health.  

This conference enabled participants to recognize common forest health issues, identify new invasive tree threats, and select potential management approaches. Participants attending the conference were surveyed after the event and 99% said the conference met or exceeded their expectations and 97% said the speakers and topics were good or excellent. 91% planned to attend in future years with a mixed preference for in-person (30%) and online (42%) going forward.  Based on this positive response and high attendance, we hope to continue this conference into the future with both online and in-person options for attendance.