2025 KWOA Fall Conference & Membership Meeting

Natural Bridge State Resort Park

October 6-8, 2025

Monday, October 6: Morgan County KDF Tree Nursery Tour: We will meet at the nursery at 1:00 PM ET and learn about the operation. Directions and information here. The drive from the nursery to Natural Bridge, where the conference will be held, is about 45 minutes.



Monday evening: Informal social/networking time in the lobby / dining / bar area. Look for folks with name tags or KWOA hats. Bill Harned and Chris Will have volunteered to lead an informal discussion around land surveys.

Tuesday and Wednesday meetings will be held at the Woodland Center, within walking distance of the park's lodge. See the agenda below and stay tuned for updates.

All meals are included on Tuesday. Silent Auction closes Tuesday evening before the ever-popular Woodland Quiz, followed by the Banquet and Friends of Forestry Awards. This year's Keynote Speaker is Brandon Howard, Director of the Kentucky Division of Forestry.

The educational program continues on Wednesday with coffee, juice, and pastries provided. This is also an opportunity to hear from partner organizations and meet the KWOA - KWOF Board of Directors.

SEE THE FULL AGENDA BELOW!

Registration: Registration will CLOSE September 22 at midnight.

Register now! Online at kwoa.net/2025-meeting-registration! 

OR download and print the registration form below to register by mail and pay by check.

Lodging: Call Natural Bridge State Resort Park at 606-663-2214 now to confirm your lodging reservations. Please remember to mention that you are attending the Kentucky Woodlands Owners Annual Meeting Conference and reference the Group Code 3436 to receive our Group Rate. Reservations at the Group Rate must be made by September 6 at 5:00 PM ET.

Lodge rooms with one king bed are available for $140.95/night, or rooms with 2 queen beds are available at $130.95/night + fees. One or Two-bedroom cottages are also available at $170.95 or 190.95/night + fees. Please make your room reservations NO LATER THAN 5:00 pm EDT on September 6, 2025.

Silent Auction - Let us know what you're bringing here!

2025 Sponsors

Kentucky Farm Bureau

Interested in becoming a sponsor? Contact president@kwoa.net to learn more about the opportunities and benefits.

KWOA 2025 Fall Conference and Membership Meeting Agenda

Monday, October 6: Tour Kentucky Division of Forestry - Morgan County Nursery 

Address: 316 Tree Nursery Road, West Liberty, KY 41472

Tour: Anthony Kinney and other KDF staff will lead the tour 

Times: 1:00 - 3:00 PM

Directions from Morgan County Nursery to Natural Bridge State Resort Park: https://maps.app.goo.gl/EDqUaGG2nBuufbuN9

October 6, 5:00 - 8 PM  Informal Socializing at the Lodge Lobby/Dining /Bar areas

• Informal Discussions with Bill Harned and Chris Will

Why survey your land? Hiring a surveyor? How does a survey come into play with timber trespass?

Tuesday, October 7 Fall Conference Program at the Woodland Conference Center

A short walk from the Lodge. Registration includes all meals on Oct 7, 2025

All programs include time for Q&A 

8:00 AM Registration Sign-in at Woodland Center & breakfast buffet open

8:30 - 9:15 AM Welcome to Fall Conference at Natural Bridge SRP

9:15 -10:30 AM Overview White Oak/Upland Hardwood Regeneration: Jeff Stringer, Emeritus UK Forestry & Natural Resources

Break – 15 min.

10:45 - 11:45 AM Woodland Management Techniques, Use of Drones, Prescribed Fire, etc. - Jacob Stewart, KDFW and KY Prescribed Fire Council

Lunch buffet In Woodland Center 

1:00 - 1:45 PM Synergy Between Forest Management and Bird Conservation - Darin McNeil, Asst. Professor Wildlife Mgmt., UK

1:45 - 2:30 PM Invasive Plant Survey Results - Forest Health Update - Ellen Crocker, Associate Professor of Forest Health Extension, UK

Break 15 min

2:45 - 3:45 PM Regional Breakout Sessions 

3:45 - 4:15 PM Wrap Up summary Regional Breakout sessions

4:45 PM Social Hour at Woodland Center (SRP Bartender)

• 5:45 PM Silent Auction Closes 

• 5:45 PM Woodland Quiz - Doug McLaren, Immediate Past President KWOA & much more

6:15 PM Banquet at Woodland Center

Friends of Forestry Awards to Billy Thomas & Laurie Thomas

Keynote Speaker- Brandon Howard, Director KY Div. Forestry, KDF

Silent Auction Winners pick up and settle up around 8:15 pm

Wednesday, October 8  Program at the Woodland Conference Center

Registration includes coffee, juice, and pastries

8:30 - 9:00 AM Mass Timber Initiatives – Chad Niman, Assistant Director UK Robinson Center, Director Wood Utilization Center and Forest Products Specialist

9:00 -9:15 AM Membership Business Meeting- Election of Directors for 2026-29

9:30 – 11:15 AM Partner Reports and KWOA Advocacy Updates

Meet KWOA Partners and Learn the Latest! Starting with Partner Highlights:

• Kentucky Farm Bureau, KFB, and Kentucky Farm Transition Initiative, KFTI

• Kentucky Division of Forestry, KDF

• Natural Resources Conservation Service, NRCS

• Break 15 min around 10 AM Partner Reports continue

• and more!

11:15 – 11:30 AM Closing Remarks/Reminders (evaluation forms) & Adjourn 

11:45 - Noon KWOA-F Board Meetings to elect officers for 2026 

• Board of Director Photos for the website!

Noon- On Your Own Lunch /Informal Optional Hike to Natural Bridge