From the Woods Today

Join Anna Wiker, Kentucky Master Naturalist Outreach Coordinator with UK Forestry and Natural Resources - Extension, as she explores some of the natural wonders hiding in plain sight during late fall. Learn how to identify plant seedheads, galls, insect egg cases, and other interesting finds that are often overlooked during the spring and summer.   Also on tap... How can education and hands-on lea...

Something creepy is lurking in the woods! Join us for a special Halloween edition of From the Woods Today as we take a closer look at some of the strange, spooky, and fascinating things hiding in our forests. Dr. Jonathan Larson, UK Department of Entomology, introduces us to the eerily named deathwatch beetle and the creepy folklore behind the mysterious tapping sounds that gave them their name.  ...

As Halloween creeps closer, things that go flutter in the night often get a bad reputation. Bats are featured in spooky stories, haunted houses, and Halloween decorations, but these creatures are far more fascinating than frightening! Join Dr. John Cox, UK Forestry and Natural Resources, as he shares the important role bats play and helps us discover why they deserve a place in our forests, not ju...

Just in time for the spooky season, join us on From the Woods Today as Dr. DJ McNeil, UK Forestry and Natural Resources, takes us into the fascinating world of spooky birds. Learn about the haunting calls of whip-poor-wills and the silent flight of owls that have inspired myths, legends, and spooky stories for generations. Also on tap...Bush honeysuckle is one of Kentucky's most troublesome invasi...

Did you know that some animals can glow? And you might not have to travel far to find them! Join Frannie Preston, UK Forestry and Natural Resources - Extension, as she explores the fascinating world of biofluorescence and bioluminescence. Learn which animals glow, why they glow, and discover the key differences between these two amazing natural phenomena. You may be surprised to find that some glo...

Thinking about selling timber from your woodland? Join Bill Knott with the Kentucky Division of Forestry as he shares valuable tips for landowners planning a timber sale, including how to protect your interests, maximize your investment, and ensure a successful harvest. Also on tap...Laurie Thomas, UK Forestry and Natural Resources - Extension, helps us answer one of fall's most colorful questions...

There are many animal species in Kentucky that are more active at night, and some of them live in trees. Join Frannie Preston, UK Department of Forestry & Natural Resources - Extension, to learn about these nocturnal animals, their adaptations, and how they depend on the trees in your woodlands.   Also on tap...Chad Niman, UK Department of Forestry & Natural Resources - Extension, joins us to disc...

Ever wondered if that black bird is a crow or a raven? Join us on Wings of Kentucky as Dr. DJ McNeil, UK Department of Forestry & Natural Resources, breaks down the key differences between crows and ravens, from their size and calls to their flight patterns. Plus, did you know there are two species of crows found in Kentucky? Dr. McNeil will also explain how to tell them apart! Also on tap...Dr. E...

Looking for your next outdoor adventure? Check out Kentucky Outdoors, a new partnership between the University of Kentucky Department of Forestry & Natural Resources and the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources focused on hunting, fishing, shooting sports, wild game cooking, and outdoor education.   Join Dr. Matt Springer, Jacob Coleman, Andy McQueen, and Jann Knappage from the Depar...

This week on From the Woods Today, we're joined by Beth Williams, Kentucky Master Logger Coordinator, to discuss the importance of Best Management Practices (BMPs) in forestry and logging operations. BMPs help protect water quality, reduce erosion, and ensure that Kentucky's forests remain healthy and productive. Beth will share how these practices are implemented on the ground and why they play s...

This week on From the Woods Today, learn why some areas are full of wildlife while others seem quiet. The answer often come down to how our landscapes are owned and managed. Join Jacob Stewart, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, as he explores how land ownership patterns and land-use decisions shape wildlife habitat across Kentucky. From family forests and farms to public lands and develope...

This week on From the Woods Today, learn how Kentucky wood products producers and landowners can benefit from the latest training and technical assistance available through the University of Kentucky Forestry and Natural Resources Extension. Join us as Chad Niman, Forest Products Specialist, covers recent support on a custom solar wood drying kiln project with a Kentucky landowner and also shares...

Discover the many benefits and uses of biochar, a stable, carbon-rich material produced by heating organic matter in a low-oxygen environment. Join Dr. Manisha Parajuli of Kentucky State University's School of Agriculture & Natural Resources as she explains what biochar is, its many applications, the feedstocks used to produce it, and common production methods. Kentucky has an abundant supply of m...

Join Dr. Jonathan Larson and Dr. Hannah Tiffin, UK Entomology, as they share expert advice on identifying, controlling, and managing ticks on people and in woodland environments. Discover effective strategies to keep these pesky insects at bay, ensuring a safer and more enjoyable outdoor experience for you and your family. Also on tap: Japanese knotweed is a non-native invasive shrub that is nativ...

Often mistaken for the Monarch, the Viceroy has its own fascinating story to tell. Join Jonathan Larson, UK Entomology, on this episode of From the Woods Today as he explores the biology, habitat, and unique adaptations of Kentucky's official state butterfly. Learn how to identify a Viceroy, and Monarch, how the Viceroy became our State butterfly, why it mimics the Monarch, and what woodland and r...

When we think of pollinators, we often think about bees on garden flowers. But what about the trees that need pollinators, and the pollinators that need trees? Join Frannie Preston, University of Kentucky Department of Forestry and Natural Resources - Extension to learn about some of these organisms that work together for their life cycles.   Also on tap: Fraser magnolia is one of several magnolia...

As temperatures climb, plants can experience heat stress just like people. How do trees and plants respond when temperatures rise? Join Dr. Sybil Gotsch, University of Kentucky Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, as she discusses what increasing heat events may mean for our forests and plants.   Also on tap: Dr. Ellen Crocker, University of Kentucky Department of Forestry and Natural Res...

Native plants aren't just beautiful—they're essential to healthy forests and wildlife habitats. From supporting pollinators like bees and butterflies to improving soil and water quality, native plants play a critical role in our ecosystems. Join Eric Comley, Garrard County Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development, as he highlights some of the native plants you're likely to find in your woods and...

In this episode, Dr. Jonathan Larson, University of Kentucky Department of Entomology, dives into the "dance" of the dragonfly—its remarkable flight patterns, lifecycle, and the critical role it plays in controlling insect populations. We'll also look at the habitats that support dragonflies and how forest and water management practices can enhance conditions for these incredible insects.   Also o...

Do you ever wonder what animals roamed the forests in Kentucky 200 years ago? What about 20,000 years ago? Wildlife of Kentucky's past played a huge role in shaping our forests. Join Frannie Preston, with the University of Kentucky Department of Forestry and Natural Resources- Extension, to learn about these historic species and what they can tell us about forest management today.   Also on tap: L...

Spring and summer evenings in Kentucky come alive with the sounds of frogs calling from wetlands, ponds, and forest edges. These vocalizations aren't just background noise—they're an important way to identify species. Learn the different types of frog calls as Dr. Steven Price, with the University of Kentucky Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, shows us how to recognize these unique soun...

What's got spots all over and totally sucks (tree sap)? It's the spotted lanternfly, one of Kentucky's newest invasive pests. Join us as Dr. Jonathan Larson, UK Entomology, teaches about the spotted lanternfly and what it means for your trees.   Also on tap: Tree-of-heaven? That's definitely a misnomer! This invasive tree is a threat in both forests and urban areas. And, as if that wasn't bad enou...

Many warbler songs are easier to remember when tied to phrases. Dr. D.J. McNeil, University of Kentucky Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, will show us how these little memory tricks can help you pick out warbler songs more easily and start recognizing them on your own with a new edition of Wings of Kentucky.   Also on tap: Rooting Out the Myths: Is Clear-cutting Always Bad for Wildlife...

Invasive species come in all forms and fashions here in the Commonwealth and we will touch on an invasive plant, an invasive insect, and an invasive pathogen currently impacting our state. Join Alexandra Blevins, Kentucky Division of Forestry's Forest Health Program Coordinator, for a discussion about invasive threats to our woodlands. Also on tap: With 44 state parks and two scenic linear trails,...

Amphibians play a vital role in Kentucky's forests and waterways. Join Dr. Steve Price, UK Forestry and Natural Resources Department Chair and Professor of Stream and Riparian Ecology, as he breaks down why these frogs, toads, and salamanders are so important to our forests and streams.   Also on tap: Join Dr. Amanda Gumbert, UK Forestry and Natural Resources - Extension - along with John Pike and...