Forestry education is an important part of the Division of Forestry's mission to educate the citizens of the commonwealth about the value of our forests by providing leadership, technical assistance and financial support.

The division offers assistance to educators (formal and nonformal), forest landowners and the general public in obtaining and utilizing the best forest resources and educational materials available.

The Division of Forestry has environmental education material and forestry information that teachers may use to supplement texts and classroom instruction. These materials range from traditional handouts (puzzles, coloring sheets, etc.), to brochures, videos and CD-ROM programs.

The Electronic Field Trip to the Forest project was a joint project with Kentucky Educational Television, the Daniel Boone National Forest, Kentucky Department of Education and the National Tree Trust. This video and Web site explores the forests of Kentucky. Forest history, sustainability, ecology and forest products are some of the topics explored in this dynamic video and Web site. Contact KET for a copy of this video.

Most of our educational materials have been revised to meet the Kentucky Department of Education Program of Studies requirements. For more information about these materials, contact Jennifer Turner, the division's forestry education specialist.

What is Forestry? Units of Study Now Available 

There are several forestry-related units of study now available to Kentucky teachers through the All Wild About Kentucky's Environment Web site. These units are aligned with the Program of Studies, Core Content for Assessment, Academic Expectations and the National Science Education Standards.

The units were designed by Kentucky teachers and the following partnerships: Environmental Protection Agency, Kentucky Division of Forestry, Kentucky Educational Television, Kentucky School Boards, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Tracy Farmer Center for the Environment, University of Kentucky Department of Forestry, Robinson Trust Initiative and the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service.

Kentucky Trees

The University of Kentucky Department of Horticulture received partial funding for a Kentucky Tree ID Web site from the division's urban and community forestry grant program. This site provides information on many of the common trees native to Kentucky.

Speakers/Classroom Programs Available            

Division foresters and forest ranger technicians are available for classroom programs. They can bring Smokey Bear to teach about forest fire prevention or lead a group on a nature walk and teach tree identification, forest ecology and other programs. They are also available to speak at Career Day programs, field events, club meetings and provide assistance with outdoor classrooms, Envirothon and Future Farmers of America events.

If you would like a forester or a ranger technician to visit your classroom or provide technical assistance, contact the district office that serves your county.