University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service will offer a forestry webinar series on select evenings from Oct. 20 through Dec. 1. The series is designed primarily for woodland owners, but anyone interested in woodland, timber and wildlife topics is welcome to participate.

The idea behind the Web-based series is to provide woodland owners with a convenient way to gain beneficial information they can incorporate on their own properties. UK forestry extension will broadcast the five-part series to participating county extension offices, with each session beginning at 7 p.m. ET and lasting approximately one hour. Local agents will host the gatherings. The technology allows participants at each site to ask questions of the experts. Individuals can also participate in the webinars from any computer connected to high-speed Internet service, although the organizers encourage participants to attend a group presentation if their county extension office hosts one.

“The Forestry Fall Webinar series is an excellent opportunity for people to receive a significant amount of information in a relatively short time, without having to drive great distances to attend,” said Billy Thomas, UK extension forester and one of the coordinators of the series.

Kentucky Master Loggers can also receive one continuing education credit for each of the webinars they attend at a hosting county extension office.

Series topics include:

·       Oct. 20—Tree Identification. Kentucky has approximately 120 different native tree species and being able to tell one from another can be challenging. A technique to make tree identification easier will be covered. Participating extension offices include Grayson, Harlan, Letcher, Lyon, Nelson, Pike, Russell and Wayne counties.

·       Oct. 29—Landowners and Federally Protected Species: What You Need to Know. Kentucky has more than 40 federally protected species, with new species being added to the list each year. It is important for landowners to know how to comply with the law and protect these species. Participating extension offices include Clay, Crittenden, Letcher, Lewis, Lyon, Nelson, Pike and Trimble counties.

·       Nov. 12—Are Your Woodlands Healthy? Kentucky’s woodlands are facing numerous threats. This presentation will help landowners determine if their property and trees are healthy, and how to improve their woodlands and keep them productive. Participating extension offices include Clay, Crittenden, Lewis, Monroe, Nelson, Pike, Rowan and Trimble counties.

·       Nov. 19—Timber Harvesting and Sales. A timber harvest and sale can be one of the biggest events that takes place on a woodland site. It can also be vital to its sustainability. Learn what is required to have a successful timber harvest and sale. Participating extension offices include Crittenden, Lewis, Letcher, Lyon, Nelson, Owen, Pike, Rowan and Trimble counties.

·       Dec. 1—Impacts of Wildfire on Woodlands. More than 1,400 wildfires in Kentucky burned more than 41,000 acres in 2014. Learn about the impact of wildfires on woodlands as well as practices that will protect woodlands and homes as much as possible. Participating extension offices include Clay, Crittenden, Grayson, Letcher, Nelson, Rowan and Pike counties.

Those who have attended the Kentucky Woodland Owners Short Courses or other UK forestry educational programs will find new and valuable information in the webinar series.

Interested participants may register for webinars through participating county extension offices. More information is available online at http://www2.ca.uky.edu/forestryextension/webinars.php, by contacting a local county extension office, or Billy Thomas at 859-257-9153 or billy.thomas@uky.edu.