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Landowners, State’s Forests will Benefit from
Woodland Short Course
By
Terri McLean
LEXINGTON, Ky., (April 25, 2007) – Helping Kentucky’s 423,000
private forest owners better manage their property and, in the
process, ensure the future of the state’s valuable forest land
is the goal of the 2007 Woodland Owners Short Course.
Sponsored by the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension
Service, the Kentucky Division of Forestry and the Kentucky
Woodland Owners Association, the program consists of three
regional short courses aimed at providing educational
opportunities in several areas of woodland and natural resource
management.
“Woodland owners need access to information about forest
management and its vital role in ensuring the future
sustainability of our woodlands and protection of natural
resources,” said organizer Billy Thomas, Extension forester at
UK.
This is the fourth year for the popular woodlands series, but
this year it will be set up in a regional format, Thomas said.
Each of the regional short courses will feature three separate
field sessions. All sessions will be targeted to the specific
region in which they’re held.
“The regional format … offers additional opportunities for
woodland owners,” he said. “Travel time will be significantly
reduced, more educational programs will be offered and those
programs will be better tailored to the needs of each region.”
A variety of forestry and natural resource professionals will
discuss topics in three program areas: woodland management
practices, woodland economics, and wildlife and recreation. In
each session, natural resource professionals will lead an open
discussion on regionally important forestry issues.
Sessions in woodland management practices, featuring such topics
as woodland evaluation, tree planting, harvesting and
regeneration treatments, will be at Green River State Forest in
Henderson County May 31, Eden Shale Farm in Owen County June 7
and Kentucky Ridge State Forest in Bell County July 10.
Sessions in woodland economics, including timber valuation,
selling strategies, estate planning and woodland products, will
be at Pennyrile State Forest in Christian County June 28, at
Pittman Creek Wood Products in Pulaski County July 19 and at the
Lee County Cooperative Extension office in Lee County Aug. 7.
Woodland wildlife and recreation sessions will be at Bandana
Hunt Club in Ballard County Aug. 2, Knobs State Forest in
Bullitt County Aug. 23 and at Elkhorn Park in Floyd County Sept.
11. Topics covered include hunting leases, trails, tree
identification and water resources.
“New woodland owners or those who have not done any management
work on their property will benefit the most, but experienced
landowners will also gain valuable information to help them
better manage their woodlands and meet their objectives,” Thomas
said.
In addition, all Kentuckians stand to benefit from the woodlands
series. Nearly half the state is covered in woodlands, which
contribute to the state’s economy and provide ecosystem services
to everyone.
“Increasing woodland management and awareness of woodlands’
important role will ultimately benefit all citizens, as well as
the state of Kentucky,” he said.
Cost for each day-long workshop is $10. To attend all three
sessions in a region, the cost is $25. Lunch is provided, and
attendees will receive either a reference CD or binder of
information aimed at helping them manage their woodlands. Space
is limited, so advance registration is required. Directions to
each session will be mailed after registration is received.
For more information about any of the Woodland Owners Short
Course or to register, call the UK Forestry Department at
859-257-7597 or the Kentucky Division of Forestry at
502-564-4496. More information is also available online at
http://www.ukforestry.org,
http://www.forestry.ky.gov
or
http://www.kentuckywoodlandownersassociation.com.
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Contact: Billy Thomas, 859-257-9153 |
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The UK College
of Agriculture, through its land-grant mission, reaches across
the commonwealth with teaching, research and extension
to enhance the lives of Kentuckians. |
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Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service |
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