Raising awareness of forest health issues is key for improving Kentucky’s privately owned woodlands.   We (Ellen Crocker and Megan Buland) had planned a series of forest health field days in 2020 to engage people about forest health threats and their management. However, Covid restrictions prevented us from moving forward with those plans in-person.  Instead, we developed a series of Virtual Forest Health Field Days using the ArcGIS StoryMaps platform, partnering with the Kentucky Division of Forestry and the Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves: https://forestry.ca.uky.edu/extension/woodland-owners/woodland-health-threats/fh-field-days  

Over the past year we created 4 interactive virtual visits to different natural areas across the state including Tom Dorman, Raven Run, Cumberland Falls, and Big Bone Lick.  Each of these features a mix of maps, text, photos, and videos to better engage viewers.  We produced videos by visiting the sites, interviewing land managers, and discussing key forest health issues and management approaches.  We also provided more in-depth information on what woodland owners can do to deal with these issues on their own property, from the emerald ash borer to invasive plants like bush honeysuckle. We hope to use these videos going forward to educate people remotely about forest health and plan to add new virtual forest health field days each year.