LEXINGTON, Ky., – University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service will offer a series of free webinars, Getting to Know Your Woodlands: A Primer for Beginners, on five successive Thursday evenings in February and March. The goal of the web-based series is to empower woodland owners to promote environmental and forest health through increased awareness, experience and access to resources.

Part of Woodland Stewards, a regional extension program for landowners, the series is made possible through a partnership of UK Forestry and Natural Resources Extension with a number of forestry extension units in surrounding states. While this first series is focused on those who are new to forest management, organizers have plans to continue this series over the next few years with the subject matter advancing as clients’ knowledge increases.

UK FNR extension will supply the series to participating county extension offices, with local agents hosting the gatherings. Each session will last from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. ET or 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. CT. The technology allows participants at each site to ask questions of the experts. North Carolina State University will host the first four sessions, while the final session will have a Kentucky-specific focus and offer several presenters from Kentucky agencies and organizations that work with woodland owners.

“This 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. “With more than 30 county extension agents and offices hosting the series, it will be widely available. Given the numerous high-quality presenters, I know the series will be beneficial to those who own and enjoy woodlands across Kentucky.”

Sessions include:

• Feb. 21—Getting to Know Your Woodlands. Southern forests are among the most diverse and productive in the world. Landowners will learn how natural and human forces have shaped the woodlands and the importance of developing management plans and practices on their forests. These county offices are participating: Barren, Breckinridge, Carroll, Casey, Clay, Edmonson, Elliott, Fayette, Grant, Harlan, Johnson, Lee, Letcher, Lewis, Lyon, Madison, Morgan, Nelson, Ohio, Oldham, Perry, Russell, Scott, Spencer, Taylor, Trimble and Wolfe.
• Feb. 28—Managing Your Woodlands. Landowners attending this session will learn the basics on pine and hardwood management. Topics covered include growing and managing pines, from site selection to final harvest; basic characteristics of existing hardwood stands, evaluation methods potential, and basic decisions on future management; how to identify degraded hardwood stands, determine acceptable growing stock, and assess options available to make degraded hardwood stands more desirable, profitable and sustainable. Host extension offices include Allen, Barren, Breathitt, Breckinridge, Carroll, Casey, Clay, Edmonson, Elliott, Grant, Harlan, Jackson, Johnson, Lee, Letcher, Lewis, Lyon, Madison, Monroe, Morgan, Nelson, Ohio, Oldham, Perry, Russell, Scott, Spencer, Taylor and Trimble.
• March 7 — Identifying and Managing Woodland Threats. Disease, insects and invasive plants all pose threats to woodlands. In this session, a team of experts will introduce participants to a few basic pest principles, present a model example of each threat, and offer some simple practices to help ensure woodlands remain healthy and productive. Host extension offices include Allen, Barren, Breathitt, Breckinridge, Carroll, Casey, Edmonson, Elliott, Grant, Harlan, Jackson, Johnson, Lee, Letcher, Lewis, Lyon, Madison, Menifee, Monroe, Morgan, Nelson, Ohio, Oldham, Perry, Russell, Scott, Spencer, Taylor and Trimble
• March 14 — Wildlife and Woodlands. Managing wildlife is commonly ranked as a primary objective among landowners. This session will introduce participants to basic wildlife management principles and concepts and provide information on habitat requirements of various wildlife. These county offices are participating in the webinar: Allen, Barren, Boone, Breathitt, Breckinridge, Carroll, Clay, Edmonson, Elliott, Fayette, Grant, Hancock, Harlan, Jackson, Johnson, Lee, Letcher, Lewis, Lyon, Madison, Menifee, Monroe, Morgan, Nelson, Oldham, Perry, Russell, Scott, Taylor and Trimble.
• March 21 —Forestry and Wildlife Assistance in Kentucky. An overview of the forestry and wildlife assistance available in Kentucky that will help landowners care for and get the most from your woodlands. Host county offices include Barren, Breckinridge, Carroll, Casey, Clay, Edmonson, Elliott, Fayette, Grant, Hancock, Harlan, Johnson, Lee, Letcher, Lewis, Lyon, Madison, Monroe, Morgan, Nelson, Oldham, Pendleton, Perry, Russell, Scott, Spencer, Taylor, Trimble, and Wolfe.

Kentucky Master Loggers can also receive two continuing education credits for each session they attend at a hosting county extension office.

Interested participants may register through participating county extension offices. More information is available online at https://forestry.ca.uky.edu/webinars_upcoming or by contacting Billy Thomas at 859-257-9153 or billy.thomas@uky.edu or the local county extension office.

UK Forestry and Natural Resources Extension is part of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. Jointly with its land-grant partner, Kentucky State University, UK Cooperative Extension brings the university to the people in their local communities, addressing issues of importance to all Kentuckians.