January 2024 UPDATED

Find updated annual meeting

registration links below!

KWOA Annual Meeting:

Registration Now Open!

Join us at the Berea College Forestry Outreach Center on March 25 - 27.

This year our theme is forestry, and we will be exploring a host of topics we hope you will find informative and help you as you make or implement your forest management plan. 

See the full agenda here.

KWOA Winter Woodlands Newsletter

The Winter newsletter is now available on our website! Get up to date on all the latest with KWOA.

• Kentucky Leopold Conservation Award Seeks Nominees. Nominations may be submitted on behalf of a landowner, or landowners may apply themselves. The application can be found at www.sandcountyfoundation.org/ApplyLCA.

• Woodland Stewards Webinar 6th season begins January 30, 2024 with Silvopasture! This educational program was developed by a collaborative team of Forestry Extension personnel to serve a multi-state audience, to empower woodland owners to promote environmental and forest health through increased awareness, experience and access to resources. Learn more https://forestrywebinars.net/sponsor-pages/woodland-stewards

• The Yale Forest Forum Series restarts January 18 and continues on Thursdays at 12:00-12:55 pm ET through April 25. Tribal Forestry: Understanding Current Issues and Challenges. Register here.

• National Woodland Owners Association (NWOA) January 10th "Woodland Word" shared an NBC News Item that brought attention to a lack of funding focus for addressing Beech Leaf Disease and some new research indicating the beech leaf-eating nematodes cause cellular damage in the trees similar to the effect cancer cells have in mammals. You can read the NBC story here and see the USDA; US Forest Service report here. There is no cure at this time.

• Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative ARRI: Spring volunteer opportunities in western KY (Muhlenberg County) and Cumberland Gap area (located on the KY-TN border) in Campbell Co/TN. Contact person Cliff Drouet: cdrouet@osmre.gov Check for dates and more at the ARRI website: www.osmre.gov/programs/arri

USDA Helps Producers Prepare for and

Recover from Severe Winter Weather

As you prepare for the potential impacts of upcoming winter weather, know that USDA offers several programs to help with recovery. Here are 2 programs relating to woodlands:

• The Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) helps the owners of non-industrial private forests restore forest health damaged by natural disasters.
• Tree Assistance Program (TAP) focuses on nursery/orchard trees.

- Ongoing -

Need Help in the Woods?

Kentucky Division of Forestry Vendors List: HERE and https://eec.ky.gov/Natural-Resources/Forestry/Documents/Statewide%20Vendor%20List%202-8-17.pdf

Planning a Harvest?

A Kentucky Master Logger must be on-site and in charge of every commercial logging operation (excluding horse loggers). Kentucky's best management practices must be used in every commercial logging operation (including horse loggers). Best to Check Out These Resources:

• Kentucky Master Logger Program: https://masterlogger.ca.uky.edu
• Bad Actor Information & List: https://masterlogger.ca.uky.edu/bad-actor-information

Just so you know... 

• If you haven't already joined the KWOA network, click here to join.
• You can share our news! See the links at the bottom of this message.
• You can always contact us; send a message to info@kwoa.net with questions, suggestions, news, or to volunteer.

Growing Forests for Our Future! KWOA volunteers work year-round providing opportunities that benefit Kentucky's woodland owners and contribute to sustainable forestry.