LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky woodland owners looking to better care for their land will have a chance this summer to learn from forestry and natural resources professionals through the 2026 Kentucky Woodland Owners Short Course.

Hosted by the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, the program offers seven evening webinars in June and an optional in-person field session in July or August.

The course is designed for woodland owners, families, farmers and anyone interested in learning how to make Kentucky woodlands healthier, more productive and better suited for wildlife, timber, recreation and long-term stewardship.

Kentucky woodlands cover nearly half the state and provide benefits that reach beyond property boundaries. They support wildlife, protect water, store carbon, offer recreation and contribute to rural economies. The Department of Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) created the Woodland Owners Short Course to help woodland owners understand those benefits and manage their land according to their goals.

“Kentucky’s woodlands are owned largely by families and individuals, and those owners make decisions every year that shape the health of our forests,” said Billy Thomas, FNR Extension forester. “The Woodland Owners Short Course gives woodland owners an opportunity to connect with the programs and organizations to help become a better woodland steward.”

The 2026 program begins online with seven webinars, scheduled 7-8:30 p.m. ET, June 2-23. Recordings of each webinar will be available to registered participants.

June 2: Why and How to Manage Your Woodlands/Tree ID

June 4: Comprehensive Woodland Management

June 9: White Oak Management and White Oak App

June 11: Wildlife Management in Kentucky

June 16: Woodlands and Water Quality

June 18: Woodland Health

June 23: Woodland Owner Related Organizations and Programs

Participants may choose an online-only option or combine the webinar series with one of two in-person field sessions and a regional Woodland Owner Resource Extravaganza. Field sessions are scheduled for July 18 in Fleming County and Aug. 8 in Caldwell County.

The field sessions allow participants to see woodland management practices in person and meet representatives from organizations that support Kentucky landowners. The Resource Extravaganza brings together agencies, associations and professionals who can answer questions about forestry, wildlife, conservation programs, timber, tree health and other woodland topics.

“The Woodland Owner Resource Extravaganza portion of the field sessions will allow woodland owners to connect with local programs to jumpstart conservation efforts,” Thomas said. “The farm tours will let you get out in the woods and see conservation practices.”

For many landowners, woodland management can feel complicated. Questions about selling timber, improving wildlife habitat, controlling invasive plants, planning for the next generation or simply knowing where to start may not have easy answers. The short course gives participants a starting point and connects them with people who work on these issues across Kentucky.

The online-only registration fee is $10 per person. Registration for the webinar series plus one field session is $30 for a single participant or $45 for a couple.

“You do not have to be a forestry expert to take part,” Thomas said. “This program is built for people who care about their woods and want practical, Kentucky-based information they can use.”

Those interested in registering for the Kentucky Woodland Owners Short Course can visit the registration page at https://wosc.mgcafe.uky.edu/2026-wosc.