OUR MISSION:
“Bringing people and woodland sustainability together”
Who We Are:
- KWOA supports our Membership’s interests in woodland ownership include timber production, fish and wildlife management, recreation, and resource conservation. Woodland ownership ranges from those with several acres to those with more than a thousand. Membership includes those who reside on their woodland property as well as absentee owners.
- State affiliate of the National Woodland Owners Association (NWOA), providing members access to proven resources and successful programs.
- Our “Sister” organization is the Kentucky Woodland Owners Foundation (KWOF), a 501 (c) 3 charitable organization to further our mission with:
- Annual Scholarship to University of Kentucky forestry students
- Annual Recognition to an Outstanding Service Forester
- Financial assistance for various programs such as: Woodland Owner Short Courses, Leopold Conservation Awards, Kentucky Forest Leadership – Youth Program
- We cooperate with various organizations to further our mission by providing members access to proven resources and successful programs. Allied organizations include (but are not limited to):
- National Woodland Owners Association (NWOA)- State Affiliate
- American Forest Foundation, American Tree Farm System and Stewardship Forest Program
- University of Kentucky Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
- University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service
- Kentucky Division of Forestry (KDF)
- Kentucky Forest Industries Association (KFIA)
- Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB) and Kentucky Agricultural Council
- Kentucky Chapter of the Association of Consulting Foresters (ACF)
- Kentucky Master Logger Program
- Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
- Kentucky Division of Conservation
What We Do:
- Advance the skills of Kentucky woodland owners though educational activities, interaction with other landowners and forestry professionals, and awareness of state and federal forestry assistance programs. We also encourage and support the formation of local forestry organizations
- Provide a voice for Kentucky woodland owners in legislative activities
- Raise public awareness regarding the value of woodland management and its contribution to the state’s economy, recreation, natural lands preservation, wildlife habitat, water quality, and the environment in general.
- Encourage economically and environmentally sound forest management practices including:
- Control of invasive vegetative species, insect problems, and diseases
- Preventing forest fires, timber theft, and unlawful trespassing
- Fairness in timberland taxes
- Farm owner insurance policies that do not discriminate against tree farmers
- Forest certification to assure a reliable supply of sustainably grown wood, which might result in higher prices for standing timber and adherence to BMP’s in sustainable timber harvests that adhere to BMPs.
- Work with the Forest Health Task Force, initiated by KWOA
Member Services:
Our members and allies volunteer their time and resources to provide these services:
- Periodic E-News providing timely information by email
- Quarterly newsletter
- Annual meetings with two days of hands-on field demonstrations and other educational programs
- Co-sponsor multiple field days and training events across the state
- Maintain informational web site, www.kwoa .net
- Appear before Legislative Committees addressing forest policy and funding issues
- Attend meetings with Allied Organizations and others to support our mission.