The University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment announced on May 8 that the Kentucky Woodland Owners Short Course will return this summer, offering seven evening webinars in June and optional in-person field sessions in July or August for woodland owners across the state.
The program is designed to help woodland owners, families, farmers, and others learn how to make Kentucky woodlands healthier, more productive, and better suited for wildlife, timber production, recreation, and long-term stewardship. The course aims to address common challenges faced by landowners while connecting them with forestry professionals.
“Kentucky’s woodlands are owned largely by families and individuals, and those owners make decisions every year that shape the health of our forests,” said Billy Thomas, FNR Extension forester. “The Woodland Owners Short Course gives woodland owners an opportunity to connect with the programs and organizations to help become a better woodland steward.”
This year’s course begins online with seven webinars scheduled from June 2 through June 23. Topics include tree identification, comprehensive management practices, white oak management tools, wildlife management strategies in Kentucky woodlands, water quality issues related to forests, woodland health concerns such as invasive species or disease prevention measures, as well as information about relevant organizations. Recordings will be available for registered participants who cannot attend live sessions.
Participants may register for either the online-only option or combine it with one of two regional field days: July 18 in Fleming County or August 8 in Caldwell County. Field sessions provide opportunities to observe conservation practices firsthand during farm tours and meet representatives from agencies supporting Kentucky landowners at a Woodland Owner Resource Extravaganza event. “The Woodland Owner Resource Extravaganza portion of the field sessions will allow woodland owners to connect with local programs to jumpstart conservation efforts,” Thomas said. “The farm tours will let you get out in the woods and see conservation practices.”
Registration fees are $10 per person for online access only; $30 covers both webinar series plus one field session for an individual or $45 per couple. “You do not have to be a forestry expert to take part,” Thomas said. “This program is built for people who care about their woods and want practical, Kentucky-based information they can use.”
Those interested can register at https://wosc.mgcafe.uky.edu/2026-wosc.
Kentucky Cooperative Extension improves quality of life across all counties by providing educational resources through its county offices statewide—including its central hub at Ag Science North in Lexington—and connects residents with research-based programming tailored to local needs according to the official website.
