Kentucky Launches Every Acre Counts for Woodland Owners

By Blake Jackson

Woodland ownership is an important part of life for many Kentucky landowners, but managing forest property can often feel overwhelming.

Questions about invasive species, wildlife habitat improvement, timber harvesting, and long-term forest health are common among property owners seeking guidance.

To help address those concerns, the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment has launched an initiative called Every Acre Counts.

The program was created through a partnership between the UK Department of Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) and the Kentucky Division of Forestry.

Its purpose is to connect woodland owners with organizations and agencies already offering forestry assistance and educational resources throughout the state.

The initiative is especially focused on new woodland owners and individuals who do not currently have a forest management plan.

“Groups across Kentucky are doing strong work with woodland owners, but a lot of it is scattered,” said Logan Baker, project coordinator for Every Acre Counts and FNR Extension associate at Martin-Gatton CAFE.

“Every Acre Counts is pulling together the pieces: Who’s doing what, where people can plug in and how woodland owners who haven’t been reached yet can find a starting point.”

The project is building a statewide network of partner organizations that provide technical support, workshops, and land management guidance.

Baker said the initiative will also create partner profiles, resource lists, and an online asset map to help woodland owners more easily locate available services.

“Every Acre Counts KY is built on the idea that meaningful forest stewardship starts with relationships, both between woodland owners and the organizations that can help those property owners,” said Jacob Muller, program project leader and FNR assistant professor.

“By bringing together trusted local organizations, agencies, and community partners, we can connect more Kentucky woodland owners with the tools, knowledge, and opportunities they need to actively manage and sustain their forests for future generations.”

The program is currently testing its outreach approach in Appalachian Kentucky and may eventually expand with local meetings, Extension events, and statewide collaboration efforts aimed at improving forest stewardship across the Commonwealth.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-paul-hartley