Kentucky Forest Health Conference Set on February 17

By Blake Jackson

A walk through a Kentucky woodland may appear unchanged from year to year, but subtle shifts can signal deeper issues. Understory vegetation may become overcrowded, leaves may thin sooner than expected, or tree bark may show new damage. While some causes are easy to spot, others result from a gradual combination of insects, disease, and plant competition that unfolds over time.

“The mix of threats to Kentucky’s forests is the reason foresters, woodland owners and land managers from across the state gather each winter to compare notes, trade lessons and hear what researchers and field specialists are seeing,” said Ellen Crocker, Forest Health Extension associate professor.

“The conference is designed to serve a wide audience, from private woodland owners trying to protect a family tract to agency to industry professionals managing larger acreages.”

The Kentucky Forest Health Conference, organized by the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, will take place Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET at the Longship Club inside Kroger Stadium in Lexington.

Attendees will receive updates on emerging forest health concerns and management strategies. Speakers from across the state will discuss current and potential threats, evaluate which control methods are effective, and highlight areas where more research is needed.

Topics for this year’s conference include deer browsing impacts, invasive plant species, insect and disease pressures, and new research aimed at managing forest health challenges. These issues often influence timber value, wildlife habitat, and long-term management decisions.

“In Kentucky, those topics often overlap,” Crocker said. “An invasive plant problem can change light levels and soil moisture. A stressed stand can be more vulnerable to disease. A pest outbreak can leave openings that unwanted vegetation quickly fills.”

Registration is $65 per person and includes a meal. Advance payment is required, with credit cards preferred. Group registration assistance and payment questions can be directed to Reneé Williams at 859-257-7597. Additional questions may be sent to forestry.extension@uky.edu.

For registration, visit https://forestry.mgcafe.uky.edu/fhc-conference

Photo Credit: gettyimages-paul-hartley