The Division of Forestry is committed to helping Kentuckians understand and appreciate the importance of well-managed forestlands. Through educational programming, teacher workshops, landowner field days, resource information and technical assistance, the division promotes the following principals of sustainable forestry including:
- To ensure that the needs of the present are met without compromising the ability of future generations by practicing land stewardship ethics.
- To manage, grow, nurture, and harvest trees for useful products, for the conservation of soil, air and water quality, for wildlife and fish habitat, and for aesthetics.
- To use and promote among all forest landowners, sustainable forestry practices that are economically and environmentally responsible.
- To protect forests from wildfire, pests, diseases, invasive plants and other damaging agents in order to maintain long-term forest health and productivity.
Project Learning Tree: Project Learning Tree (PLT) is an environmental education program designed for teachers and other educators working with students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12.
Kentucky Envirothon: Envirothon is a high-school competition for students in grades nine through 12. The competition focuses on problem-solving and natural resources. Envirothon students are trained in the ways that real life environmental problems are solved, with the support of natural resource professionals.
Selected Forestry Topics: Need forestry-related speakers for classroom visits, programs, clubs and group meetings? 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, Future Farmers of America and other 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.
Educational Materials: The division also offers environmental education materials 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. 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.
Forestry Units of Study: 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.
Electronic Field Trip to the Forest, a 2002 KET production, is a 60-minute overview of forest ecology and management for grades 4-8, covering topics in environmental science, life science, history, geography, and economics. While introducing several fundamental concepts in biology, the program also focuses on human interactions with and uses of forests, emphasizing the need for good stewardship.
The Kentucky Woodland Owners Short Course (WOSC) is an educational opportunity for landowners who would like to learn about basic forest management. The program features a variety of topics presented by forestry and other natural resource professionals. Why should you attend the Woodland Owners Short Course?
- Improve woodland health
- Increase woodland productivity
- Improve wildlife habitat
- Increase revenue earned from timber sales
This year, the WOSCs will be conducted on Saturdays and will include youth programming for ages 5-17. Plan to bring the family and join us for an educational experience that will have lasting benefits for you and your family. We look forward to working with you this summer! For a registration form, please click the following link, 2009 Woodland Owner Short Course Registration Form. For more information about dates and locations, please click Kentucky Woodland Owner Short Course Program.
