Kansas Canopy

You can find us elbow deep in fruit this month as we chat with Lawrence Fruit Tree Project Coordinator, Skylar Adamson. The Lawrence Fruit Tree Project is part of the Sunrise Project and is responsible for establishing and maintaining the Lawrence Community Orchard. Listen now to learn more about this collaborative, community, orchard and how you could begin your own fruit tree project in your com...

Join K-State meteorologist Chip Redmond as we discuss weather resources for Kansans and how our weather patterns can impact wildfire risk. https://mesonet.k-state.edu/ https://mesonet.k-state.edu/fire/danger/

Join Kansas landowner and long-time woodland manager Tim Lyons as we discuss his journey over the last 30 years working to improve and protect the woodlands on his property and in his community! Kansas Forestry Association: https://www.ksforestryassociation.org/ National Woodland Owners Association: https://nationalwoodlands.com/ Kansas Forest Service: https://www.kansasforests.org/

Join us this month as we sit down in the Kansas State University Herbarium with Assistant Research Professor Mark Mayfield to discuss the incredible collection of dried plant specimens that serve as KSU's natural history museum of plants! Learn more about the herbarium: https://www.k-state.edu/herbarium/

In this month's episode, we have the privilege to sit down with water quality forester, Andy Klein. Join us as Andy delves into the intricacies of his impactful work within our vital riparian forests. Andy brings to light how his efforts are intertwined with the practices of regenerative agriculture, ensuring a harmonious balance between the needs of the land, local communities, and our precio...

Community Forestry Program Coordinator Matt Norville joins us this month to discuss the do's and don'ts of young tree pruning and why it matters! Kansas Arborist Association list of certified arborist: https://www.kansasarborist.com/certified-commercial.html Recommended tree lists: https://www.kansasforests.org/resources/recommendedtreesandshrubs.html

Join GIS Analyst Darci Paull and Fuels Specialist Luke Berning to explore the new Kansas Wildfire Risk Assessment Portal. The Kansas Wildfire Risk Assessment Portal is the primary mechanism for Kansas Forest Service to deploy wildfire risk information and create awareness about wildfire issues across the state. This portal is tailored to support specific workflow and information requirements for t...

South central Rural District Forester Chris Mullins shares with us how he works with landowners to create optimal woodland wildlife habitat for hunting, conservation, and enjoyment. Financial incentive programs for woodland managers: https://www.kansasforests.org/rural_forestry/financialincentiveprograms.html Habitat First Program: https://ksoutdoors.com/Services/Private-Landowner-Assistance/Wildl...

Utilization and Marketing Forester Dave Bruton shares the important considerations landowners need to know before selling their timber. He also includes information about locating sawmills in Kansas and resources to assist landowners and timber buys in their transactions. Kansas Timber Buyer List: https://www.kansasforests.org/forest_products/ Kansas Sawmill List: https://www.kansasforests.org/for...

Join Rural District Forester EJ Jamison and Assistant Fire Management Officer Dennis Carlson to discuss the ecology, purpose, and history of prescribed fire in Kansas woodlands. Fire in Eastern Oak Forests: https://www.fs.usda.gov/nrs/pubs/inf/nrs_inf_39_22.pdf Connect with Kansas Forest Staff: https://www.kansasforests.org/about/staff/index.html View Upcoming Events: https://www.kansasforests.org...

Eastern redcedar is a native Kansas conifer essential for windbreaks in many parts of the state. While essential in some ways, Eastern redcedar can become aggressive if not managed and poses a serious wildfire risk. Join Rural Forestry Program Coordinator Ryan Armbrust to learn about the merits and management of this important species. This is a two part discussion, make sure to listen to last mon...

Eastern redcedar is a native Kansas conifer essential for windbreaks in many parts of the state. While essential in some ways, Eastern redcedar can become aggressive if not managed and poses a serious wildfire risk. Join Rural Forestry Program Coordinator Ryan Armbrust to learn about the merits and management of this important species. This is a two part discussion, make sure to listen to next mon...

Join Assistant Fire Management Officer Eric Ward to learn about the Kansas Forest Service Mitigation Project and how it helps to train our next generation of wildland firefighters while also reducing wildfire risk on public lands. Learn more about the wildland fire management program: https://www.kansasforests.org/fire_management/ Check out our website for information on keeping your home and comm...

Join Turkey Creek Trees owner Chris Pool as we discuss planting and care of fruit trees in Kansas! Check with your county's Extension Office for local growing information and information on soil testing. Recommended Fruit Trees Midwest Fruit Pest Management Guide Planning Your Fruit Garden Pruning Peaches, Plums, Cherries and Other Stone Fruits Pruning Apple and Pear Trees Spray Guide for Growing...

Join Conservation Trees Nursery Manager Aaron Yoder and Water Quality Forester Andy Klein as we discuss methods for new tree and shrub establishment in conservation plantings! Tips on Planting Trees and Shrubs: https://bit.ly/3mfugLD Kansas Mesonet: https://mesonet.k-state.edu/ Forestry Contractors: https://bit.ly/41cVO2U Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Biologist Locations: https://bit.ly/...

March is Women's History Month and we are celebrating with Kim Bomberger, Community Forester for NE KS. Kim looks back on her twenty years in our agency and how being the only female forester in 2003, and one of four female foresters today has impacted he work and her perspective on women in science and agriculture fields.  Kansas Forest Service Book Club

Recommended Trees: https://www.kansasforests.org/resources/recommendedtreesandshrubs.html Kansas Mesonet (weather monitoring): https://mesonet.k-state.edu/

In 2023, the Kansas Forest Service is excited to share our new mission statement; Sustaining and enhancing natural resources and communities through forestry and wildland fire management. Join Ariel and State Forester, Jason Hartman, to learn about the process of changing mission statements and what this means for the future of the Kansas Forest Service. 

The KS Champion Tree program has a newly redone website and nomination process for recognizing the largest trees in our state. Join Ariel and GIS Analyst Darci Paull to learn more about the program and how to nominate the biggest trees in your area! Champion Trees in KS: https://www.kansasforests.org/discover_kansas_forests/championtrees.html Contact Ariel or Darci for additional information: http...

Utilization and Marketing specialist Dave Bruton joins us this month to discuss selection and care of Christmas trees from local growers. Christmas tree growers are an important aspect of the forestry market in Kansas and they provide a fun agro-tourism experience for visitors.  Kansas Association of Christmas Tree Growers Kansas Forest Service Events

Invasive woody species, like bush honeysuckle and Callery pear, can devastate native woody species affecting the entire ecosystem. Last month we discussed how these species affect insects and this month we are joined by recently retired Extension Specialist and all-around bird enthusiast, Chuck Otte. With decades of bird watching experience, Chuck shares his thoughts on the factors impacting bird...

In this episode we are joined by Forest Health Specialist Ryan Rastok to discuss the impacts that invasive woody species, like bush honeysuckle, have on our insect pollinators. Next month we'll take a look at how these same woody species impact birds. Controlling bush honeysuckle: https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF3222.pdf Callery pear control: https://www.kansasforests.org/forest_health/calle...

Managing your forestry resources can be a full-time job. Thankfully, forestry contractors like Luke Terry and Ryan Neises are available for hire so you don't spend all your free time working in the woodlands you'd rather be enjoying. Listen in as Luke and Ryan explain the many ways forestry contractors in Kansas are available to assist with resource management and what motivated them to work in fo...

District Forester Chris Mullins advises that the peak of fruit harvesting in Kansas is well underway by mid to late July – which means now is the time to harvest! Chris has been out gathering native sandhill plum with a local landowner to gather seed for the KFS conservation seedling program. Gathering local seed sources is an essential part of offering a genetic variety of plants that can tolerat...

Ryan Rastok is the Rural Forester for District 1 in northeast Kansas. In his role as a District Forester, Ryan serves landowners in seven counties - lending technical service and guidance on how to manage their rural forests. In his district, Ryan works with a variety of landowners that have a variety of goals for their property. Ryan was drawn to forestry through his education as a forest entomol...