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KWOF
Kentucky Woodland Owners Foundation
The Kentucky Woodland Owners Foundation, KWOF, was founded in November, 1998 as a nonprofit corporation under the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky (KRS 273.161 et seq.). As such, the Foundation receives charitable donations and makes distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding sections of any future federal tax code. To this end, the Foundation provides financial assistance to support programs that provide direct education and/or demonstrate the practical ecological and economic value of sustainable forestry practices.
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KWOF currently makes charitable distributions to the programs listed below.
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The Pete Kovalic
Scholarship Fund
This fund provides scholarships for:
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The Kentucky Forest Leadership Program designed for high school students interested in the environment and natural resources. This week long experience concentrates on forest and natural resources management and related subjects. Throughout the week, students will learn about a variety of careers in related fields beyond forestry, including, entomology, soil science, wildlife habitat management and assessment as well as water quality. The Kentucky Forest Leadership Program gives youth the chance to learn how to think, not what to think. The program helps to develop life-long learning skills based on observation, action and evaluation. Learn to think creatively, make decisions, and set goals.
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Forestry Student Scholarship $1,000 scholarship for a single University of Kentucky Forestry and Natural Resources student. Written application process, juried by the KWOF Board.
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The Kentucky Envirothon Competition, a program of the Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts (KACD), organized in conjunction with the Kentucky Division of Conservation. The 2025 Kentucky Regional competition's focus area is “Roots and Resiliency: Fostering Forest Stewardship in a Canopy of Change.”​
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The Kentucky Leopold Conservation Awards
Sand County Foundation and national sponsor, American Farmland Trust, along with state partners, present the Leopold Conservation Award to private landowners in 28 states. Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes landowners who inspire others to consider conservation opportunities on their land. In his influential 1949 book, A Sand County Almanac, Leopold called for “a land ethic,” an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage.
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Learn about each of the past Kentucky winners here.
Recognition
KWOF is proud to announce the expansion of its Annual Recognition through the Friend of Forestry Award. Traditionally, this award has honored outstanding service foresters by their peers from the region hosting the annual meeting. However, in 2024, we are excited to broaden the scope to include forestry professionals from various sectors, as extension agents, private consulting foresters, and technical service providers. This change reflects our commitment to recognizing the diverse contributions of all individuals dedicated to advancing forestry in our communities.
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