The Commonwealth and the United States Department of Agriculture signed an agreement meant to boost forest health across the state.
The agreement with the USDA’s Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service is meant to help better protect Kentucky’s lands and waters. That includes teaming up to manage health risks and natural disasters, protecting wildlife habitats, water quality and air quality, and helping communities plan for wildfires.
“This is just an opportunity to shine the light on the needs of stewardship of our forests in the state,” said Kentucky state forester Brandon Howard. “Maybe bring people to the table who aren't typical partners to try to come up with new solutions, because we're always going to have new issues identified.”
That includes getting multiple state agencies on the same page and working towards common forest restoration goals.
“Really one thing we can do, because most of the state's forest land is in private ownership, is empowering those private landowners with knowledge. For example, forest health, we got insects and diseases that come in. The (invasive species) emerald ash borer has ripped across our state and is now Western Kentucky.”
Source: weku.org
Photo Credit: gettyimages-paul-hartley
Categories: Kentucky, Government & Policy