The success of our department relies heavily upon our partnerships. We are grateful for the relationships and trust we have developed over the years with our many partners, helping us to achieve our department’s vision of “being widely recognized for improving the lives of people and for improving the condition of human and biotic communities through learning, discovery, and outreach activities relating to forests and natural resources.”  

It simply would have been impossible for us to aspire to this vision without our partners, and we have a wealth of them. Listing all of them would be beyond the capacity of this writing, and trying to do so would not do justice to the partnerships. Suffice it to say that our partnerships are broad, encompassing state and federal agencies, NGOs, state and national associations and organizations, schools and universities, individual private industries and businesses, and our family forest owners. These owners hold a unique position, laying claim to the majority of forest land in the state. The forest resources they possess and utilize provide the foundation for much of the forests’ economic and ecosystem-services contributions to Kentucky, along with the ability to offer extensive recreational opportunities for our citizens. 

We have worked with many woodland owners in Kentucky who have contributed to the education of our undergraduate and graduate students, our research enterprise, and our Extension effort. These partnerships, again, are too numerous to list. One example is the Taylor Tree Farm, whose founder, Cliff Taylor, developed a highly sophisticated management strategy, utilized cutting-edge management techniques, and extended, with open arms, his woodlands and operations as a site for numerous educational programs. This engagement was critical in helping to foster far-reaching initiatives that have impacted woodlands throughout the state and region. His work lives on with his sons, Scott and Steve, and their families, who have embraced the woodlands and its management and have committed themselves to continuing and building on their farm’s legacy. That commitment includes a continued partnership with our department, which is helping us to build strong working woodlands in the state as we address critical issues associated with our forest resources. We thank our family forest owners, and all of our partners, for the trust they put in us to help build a better future.