​We are looking for nominations from KWOA Members for your Outstanding KDF Service Forester

Kentucky Woodland Owners Association will recognize a KDF Service Forester for his/her outstanding achievements. Nominations may be made by any KWOA member and are due no later than July 31, 2021.

Forests cover nearly half the state of Kentucky and are the foundation of a forest sector that is a major economic force in the Commonwealth. This webpage contains the latest Kentucky forest sector economic contribution estimates, prior estimates, links to data sources and methods, as well as additional information related to the economic importance of Kentucky’s forest resources.

NWOA posted this article from The Connecticut Mirror: ctmirror.org/2021/05/01/some-worry-wind-and-solar-will-gobble-up-forests-and-farms/

If you have been remodeling you already know the price of lumber has skyrocketed. KWOA continues to watch for more news, especially from the perspective of the woodland owner and the overall impact on sustainable woodland management practices. Two articles that look at the impact of climate change and the prognosis for sawmills:

• NWOA posted this article reflecting on the relationship between climate change and the lumber shortage: https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2021/04/climate-origins-massive-lumber-shortage/618727/www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2021/04/climate-origins-massive-lumber-shortage/618727/
• This Wall Street Journal article is reflects the prognosis for sawmills and the impact on home buyers, DIY projects, and renters: Lumber Prices Break New Records   or  www.wsj.com/articles/record-lumber-prices-lift-sawmills-while-homeowners-do-it-yourselfers-pay-up-11620034201
  

​Wildlands News: Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves, and Kentucky Natural Lands Trust now have a new tool to help landowners protect their wildlands – a $6.8 million grant from the United States Department of Agriculture-Natural Resource Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS). The grant is provided through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) and will help Kentucky landowners use conservation easements to protect forests and connect wildlands corridors. The Greater Bernheim RCPP Project also includes support for outreach and education activities for conservation, water, and land stewardship.

​While there are many reasons to enjoy woodland ownership, paying taxes on your property and the income you derive from them certainly aren’t among them. Making sure that you take every tax break to which you’re entitled can make the process slightly less painful.

In this article we’ve included several possibilities for tax savings. While most are focused on federal taxes, your state may also have some tax deductions and programs that could reduce your tax bill. In either case, remember that tax laws are complex. It’s always a good idea to discuss your specific tax situation with your accountant, your lawyer, or your tax professional.

*This post was written by Mary Lou Jay, a regular contributor to WoodsCamp blog and AFF's WoodLand Magazine.

TheU.S. Department of Agriculture is requesting public input on a climate-smart agriculture and forestry strategy. The Notice represents an important step toward implementing President Biden’s Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad. The Order, signed January 27, states that, “America’s farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners have an important role to play in combating the climate crisis and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, by sequestering carbon in soils, grasses, trees, and other vegetation and sourcing sustainable bioproducts and fuels.”
 
“USDA is committed to addressing climate change through actions that are farmer, rancher, and forest landowner-focused and that create new market opportunities for the sector in a fair and equitable way,” said Vilsack. “We want your ideas on how to position the agriculture and forestry sectors to be leaders on climate smart practices to mitigate climate change. This includes making the most of USDA programs, developing new USDA-led climate strategies, strengthening existing markets and developing new markets that generate income.”
 
The Notice seeks information on four topics: climate-smart agriculture and forestry; biofuels, bioproducts, and renewable energy; catastrophic wildfire; and meeting the needs of disadvantaged communities through USDA’s climate strategy.
 
The Notice will be available for public input until April 30th, and is available online through the Federal Register.
https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2021-05287/request-for-comments-executive-order-on-tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad