Reneé Williams | Forestry and Natural Resources

Reneé Williams Episodes

From The Woods Today - Defining Invasive Plants

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we learn the difference between native, non-native, and invasive species and talk about why it matters what terms we use. We also go over some of the functions of our new forestry extension website.

From the Woods Today - Severe Weather Preparedness

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we focus on severe weather preparedness and introduce a new user-friendly smartphone app now available from the UK Ag Weather Center, titled Weather Alert.

From the Woods Today - How Plants Survive Winter

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we discuss the many different ways that plants have evolved traits or processes to withstand freezing conditions and freeze/thaw cycles. We also have a segment about the invasive pest, the spotted lanternfly.

From The Woods Today - Groundwater Awareness

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we celebrate Groundwater Awareness Week by sharing the importance of groundwater and protecting it from the impacts of various human land uses. We also have our monthly Wings of Kentucky segment.

From The Woods Today - Emerging Spring Bugs

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we have Dr. Larson on to discuss the biology of what happens to insects when they emerge in the springtime due to the warming weather.

From The Woods Today - World Wildlife Day

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we celebrate World Wildlife Day by highlighting the wildlife diversity in Kentucky. We also have a segment about invasive plant awareness.

From The Woods Today - Winter Tree Identification

In this episode of From the Woods Today, viewers will learn how to recognize a few basic tree characteristics to make identifying trees in winter less tricky. We also discuss some bird feeding basics.

From The Woods Today - Winter Insect Survival

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we explain how insects avoid cold temperatures and return the next year to start their life cycles over again. Dr. Matt Springer also joins us to discuss wildlife and their adaptations and other neat tricks that allow them to survive the winter.

From The Woods Today - Attracting Birds

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we discuss attracting birds by adding essential habitat components to your outdoor space. We’ll also discuss resources to help you identify the species you encounter, and ways to report your sightings to citizen science projects like the Great Backyard Bird Count.

From The Woods Today - Appreciating the Value of Wetlands

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we celebrate World Wetlands Day! Learn about how we define and identify wetlands as well as some interesting and useful facts about the important functions that they serve in an ecosystem.

From The Woods Today - Family Forest Carbon Program

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we learn about the Family Forest Carbon Program (FFCP) which is an exciting opportunity for landowners to sequester carbon while gaining access to financial return and professional management assistance.

From The Woods Today - Kentucky Maple Syrup Producers

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we celebrate maple syrup production in Kentucky! Learn how maple syrup is made and where you can find it during the 2024 Kentucky Maple Day events.

From The Woods Today - Kentucky Maple Trees

In this episode of From the Woods Today, Laurie Thomas teaches us how to identify the different maple species found in Kentucky. We also have a segment on lichens.

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 - Growing Christmas Trees

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we learn how to successfully take a Christmas tree seedling and grow it into the trees of beauty that adorn so many Kentucky homes for the holidays. We also have our popular Tree of the Week segment.

From The Woods Today - Invasive Species Given to Others

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we explore that while we seem to encounter a new invasive species every week, the US has also donated many species to other nations. Join us to learn which of our native species are causing headaches elsewhere.

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 - White Oak Regeneration

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we look at the status of white oak regeneration at the local, regional, and range-wide scales and discuss some of the implications of those results and the questions they raise for future research and management. We also have the second part of our mapping and GIS series.

From The Woods Today - Extreme Weather

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we talk about several natural disasters that have impacted the Midwest Region over the past several decades, showing what woodland owners could encounter in the future and how to prepare accordingly. In addition, we have our Tree of the Week segment.

From the Woods Today - Robinson Forest

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we celebrate 100 years of UK's Robinson Forest as one of the premier research and education forests in the U.S. We also share some history and information about National Forest Products Week.

From the Woods Today - Tree Week 2023

This episode of From the Woods Today is a Tree Week Special! Join us as we discuss checking your trees for insects, fall leaf color, and the Reforest the Bluegrass program.

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 - Vernal Pools

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we talk about what a vernal pool is, why they are important, and some techniques for restoring vernal pools that look and function like natural wetlands. We also have our monthly What's Bugging My Tree segment.

From the Woods Today - Forestry Curriculum

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we discuss UK Forestry's undergraduate degree, which is Kentucky’s only professional degree program accredited by the Society of American Foresters. We also share some information about an upcoming habitat management symposium.

From the Woods Today - World Rivers Day

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we celebrate the world’s waterways for World Rivers Day. We also have segments on river otters and Kentucky maple syrup production

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 - Under Attack: Laurel Wilt Disease

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we discuss laurel wilt disease, a new invasive epidemic that is killing sassafras and spicebush across Kentucky. We also have a segment on herbicides use for selective management of plants in our woodlands.

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 - Big Beetles of Kentucky

In this episode of From the Woods Today, Dr. Jonathan Larson gives an overview of different types of beetles found in Kentucky. We also have our tree of the week segment, as well as a celebration for National Honey Bee Day.

From the Woods Today - Degraded Woodlands

In this episode of From the Woods Today, we discuss some ways to prevent forest degradation in the future and restore productivity and function to historically mismanaged woodlands. We also have a segment on how to identify and protect sinkholes on your property.

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