Dr. DJ McNeil | Forestry and Natural Resources

Dr. DJ McNeil Episodes

From the Woods Today - Invasive Pests and How You Can Help Slow the Spread

Dr. DJ McNeil, Assistant Professor of Wildlife Management, drops in this week for another Wings of Kentucky segment!

Also on tap... Carl Harper, Kentucky's Office of the State Entomologist visits to tell us about invasive pests and how we can help slow down the spread.

From the Woods Today - What are Invasives?

This week on From the Woods Today it's all about invasives of every kind! Frannie Preston drops in to give us an overview of what exactly an invasive is and Dr. Ellen Crocker, Forest Health Specialist joins us for a segment about the top invasive plants that could be affecting our woods in Kentucky. Also on tap... a very special Wings of Kentucky with Dr. D.J. McNeil who talks about invasive birds.

From the Woods Today - Invasive Species Special

From the Woods Today - How Weather Affects Wildlife

In this episode of From the Woods Today, Dr. D.J. McNeil and Dr. John Cox visit the show to discuss how extreme weather fluctuations can affect our wildlife. And... Chad Niman will be speaking about mass timber products. These are created by assembling smaller wood elements, like dimension lumber, veneers, or strands, and bonding them with adhesives, dowels, nails, or screws to form larger structural components.

From the Woods Today - Wildlife Special

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we learn that many of Kentucky's most charismatic birds are species that perch on branches, the ground, or the water, our tree-clinging birds, like woodpeckers and nuthatches, are some of the most commonly encountered when in our woods. Also on tap...Spring is almost here, and frogs have started calling from wetlands throughout Kentucky. We will learn how to identify our winter and early spring breeding frogs through their vocalizations.

From the Woods Today - Protecting Forested Watersheds

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we explore national and regional efforts aimed at protecting forests and source water. We review key resources that help partners implement initiatives focused on ensuring clean, high-quality drinking water across the Commonwealth. Additionally, we feature our Tree of the Week and Wings of Kentucky segments, highlighting local nature and wildlife.

From the Woods Today - 12 Days of Christmas Birds

In this episode of From the Woods Today, Dr. DJ McNeil uncovers the hidden bird-related meaning behind one of the most beloved Christmas songs. Plus, we take a moment to celebrate World Soil Day.

From the Woods Today - Thanksgiving Birds

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we explore the birds that grace our tables and discover the fascinating relatives they share. We also give thanks to Kentucky woodlands, their owners, and those who support them.

From the Woods Today - Fall Bird Migration

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we dive into fall migratory birds, exploring their behavior and migration patterns. Plus, in our What's Bugging My Tree? segment, we take a closer look at oak bracket fungus and how it affects trees.

From The Woods Today - Leaf Curl Symptoms

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we show some symptoms of apparent herbicide damage tied to the early spring treatments of crop fields. Plus, don't miss our Wings of Kentucky segment, where we explore the avian wonders of our region, and stick around for Pesky Plants, where we confront the invasive bush honeysuckle and its impact on our local ecosystems.

From the Woods Today - Defining "Birds"

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we delve into the essence of birds, discussing their defining characteristics and the evolutionary path that brought about these feathered, beaked creatures. Additionally, we shine a spotlight on Forest Stewardship Week.

From the Woods Today - Gardening for Bats

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we learn how to spice up your garden and give back to bats for helping control mosquitoes. We also have our monthly Wings of Kentucky segment on early spring migratory birds.

From The Woods Today - 12 Days of Christmas

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we learn about some of the bird-themed gifts from the song 12 Days of Christmas. We also have a segment about foraging materials for the holidays.

From The Woods Today - Benefits From Our Forests

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we celebrate trees and all their benefits. We also discuss the role of birds in Thanksgiving traditions. Additionally, we give thanks to some of the forest products derived from trees as well as express gratitude for the water quality benefits of forests.

From the Woods Today - Fall Migratory Birds

In this episode of From the Woods Today, Dr. McNeil discusses a few of the common birds that we can see during fall migration in the woods across Kentucky. We also have the first installment of a new series about mapping and geographic information systems (GIS).

From the Woods Today - Wood Expo

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we discuss the upcoming Kentucky Wood Expo and some activities you can take part in. We also have a segment about how logging can be an excellent tool for helping some of Kentucky's most at-risk bird species.

From the Woods Today - Tree Identification

In this episode of From the Woods Today, Laurie Thomas teaches us the basics of tree identification. We also have our What's Bugging My Tree segment, as well as a segment about late summer birds.

From the Woods Today - Tree Improvement Program

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we discuss how the sustainability of white oak can be promoted through the development of high quality, fast growing seedlings for reforestation and how the White Oak Genetics and Tree Improvement Program (WOGTIP) was created to develop these seedlings for use throughout the eastern US. We also have a segment on the avian breeding cycle.

From the Woods Today - Timber Treatments for Birds

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we discuss how different timber management regimes affect Kentucky's native bird species. We also have a segment about food plots for wildlife.

From the Woods Today - Wildfire Response

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we discuss research on wildfire in Kentucky and the implications of the results in the context of climate change. We also have our Tree of the Week segment, as well as a presentation about neotropical migratory birds.

From the Woods Today - Spring Bird ID

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we discuss a few of the earliest spring migratory birds that have returned to Kentucky after their winter vacations. We also have a Tree of the Week segment, as well as information about an upcoming workshop series for Kentucky landowners.

From the Woods Today - Maple Syrup in Kentucky

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we explore maple syrup production in Kentucky and see how it is bringing communities together through efforts such as the Kentucky Maple Day. We also have a new Bird of the Month series highlighting woodpeckers, their biodiversity, and how to identify each of our native woodpecker species.

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