Please make plans to join us for the 2016 Woodland Owners Short Course (WOSC). Regional planning committees have put together regionally relevant programs that will be very useful for woodland owners and those with an interest in forestry and wildlife.

Participants have two tracks to choose from: Green for those just getting started managing their woodlands and Gold for those that have been actively managing their woodlands for a while. Below are the dates and locations for the 2016 WOSC:

The previously announced Kentucky Master Woodland Stewards Program has been rescheduled for September 16-18, 2016. This program is a joint-partnership between UK Forestry Extension and the Kentucky Division of Forestry. The goal of the program is to provide interested woodland owners with advanced woodland management skills and to create forestry ambassadors across the Commonwealth. Following the training, participants, called Kentucky Master Woodland Stewards, agree to return to their communities and serve as ambassadors of sustainable woodland and wildlife management. Space is limited so if this is an opportunity you are interested in please complete and submit the application by August 15. The training school will be held from September 16, 2016 to September 18, 2016 at UK's historic Robinson Forest. Selected applicants will be notified by August 22. To complete an online application or for more information about this unique opportunity please visit here or contact Billy Thomas (billy.thomas@uky.edu) at 859.257.9153.

The latest issue of Kentucky Woodlands Magazine is now available by clicking here. This issue contains articles on "Strategically Assessing Woodland Health", "Valuing Woodlands and Their Owners",  "Biotechnology: Scientific Advances that Could Save Our Native Forests", "Protecting Woodlands from Timber Theft and Trespass", "Changes to Kentucky's Forestry Best Management Practices", and much more including articles from the Kentucky Woodland Owners Association and the Kentucky Tree Farm Committee. This issue is the last one with Diana Olszowy serving as co-editor which she has done for the last 10 years providing unwavering dedication and support to the magazine and Kentucky's woodland owners - 

UK Forestry recently unveiled a new website available by clicking here. This new website opens the classroom to both college students and Kentuckians in general. Combining the research and academics of the department with the outreach of the Cooperative Extension Service, the new site has something for everyone. 

Woodland owners, wood industry, loggers, foresters, and youth can visit the Extension part of the website here to access a wealth of online information tailored especially for them. With videos, photographs and informative papers in an eye-catching and easy to navigate design, the site offers visitors a wide variety of information on a broad collection of subjects.

Dr. Matt Springer, UK Forestry Extension Wildlife Professor, has launched a new University of Kentucky Wildlife Extension Facebook page. This page will be used to help  followers stay informed on wildlife related news and events within Kentucky. The page can be found by clicking here and if you would like to be kept abreast of the updates on the page make sure to "Like" it. Dr. Springer can be reached for any wildlife related questions or issues at mattspringer@uky.edu or 859.257.8633.