From the Woods Today - Ecological Engineering Solutions

From the Woods Today - Ecological Engineering Solutions

Author: Renee Williams, UK Forestry and Natural Resources - Extension March 27, 2026 Duration: 58:16

March 22 is World Water Day, a global reminder of how essential clean, fresh water is to our lives, forests, wildlife, and communities.This week on From the Woods Today, we're celebrating by highlighting innovative efforts that help protect and understand this vital resource. We are celebrating the importance of fresh water by spotlighting a project where local students use real programming skills to help protect their own community's drinking water sources. Dr. Tiffany Messer, Gatton Foundation Endowed Chair and Associate Professor tells us all about this water wise project.

Also on tap... Dr. Amanda Gumbert, UK Forestry & Natural Resources - Extension, joins us to talk about Water Week and the events that are occuring. Bridget Abernathy, Kentucky Division of Forestry, will also be discussing the 130th Arbor Day Ceremony at the State Capital in Frankfort on April 3. You won't want to miss this event! 3.18.26

For more episodes of From the Woods Today, visit https://forestry.ca.uky.edu/woods-today
Each episode has the video of the segment at the website above.

 


Every Wednesday, the digital airwaves fill with the sounds of rustling leaves, insightful conversation, and practical knowledge straight from the heart of Kentucky's landscapes. From the Woods Today is your weekly companion for exploring the intricate, often overlooked world of forests and natural resources. Co-hosted by Renee Williams and Billy Thomas with the UK Forestry and Natural Resources Extension, this live podcast serves as a direct line to experts, bringing the latest science, management tips, and ecological stories right to your ears. The discussions are grounded and accessible, moving beyond theory to focus on the tangible aspects of woodland stewardship, wildlife habitats, and the quiet wonders found just off the trail. You'll hear interviews with researchers, deep dives into seasonal changes affecting your local environment, and straightforward answers to the complex questions that landowners and nature enthusiasts face. Tuning in feels less like a lecture and more like a thoughtful conversation with a knowledgeable neighbor who has spent a lifetime observing the rhythms of the natural world. This is a podcast for anyone curious about the life cycle of a tree, the management of a healthy watershed, or simply the latest news from the field of environmental science. It’s where professional insight meets personal passion, all dedicated to fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for the resources that sustain us. Join the live broadcast to be part of the conversation, or catch the episode on-demand to connect with the woods on your own time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

From the Woods Today
Podcast Episodes
From the Woods Today - Forestry Careers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:51
Frannie Preston, ForestryWorks Coordinator for Kentucky and UK Forestry and Natural Resources - Extension, will be our guest to talk about how different forestry careers shapes young minds. ForestryWorks® is a collaborat…
From the Woods Today - Wildlife Survival Tactics [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:57
Dr. Matt Springer, UK Forestry and Natural Resources - Extension, is our guest today talking about how animals adapt to the unique environmental challenges in Kentucky, from braving the cold to thriving in the sweltering…
From the Woods Today - The Incredible Realm of Insects [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:47
Dr. Jonathan Larson, University of Kentucky Entomology Department, is joining us once again by diving into the world of insects. With a wealth of knowledge, he will unveil the astonishing behaviors and their critical rol…
From the Woods Today - Pollinators [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:45
This week we welcome Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves Caroline Kane. Caroline is going to talk about the important role bees play in pollination and why they are so important to our environment and how you can support…
From the Woods Today - Cicadas Damaging Your Trees? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:31
Are you seeing damage in your trees since the cicadas came to town? Something to worry about or not? Dr. Ellen Crocker, University of Kentucky Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, and Dr. Jonathan Larson, Univer…
From the Woods Today - Fireflies [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:19
Dr. Jonathan Larson from the University of Kentucky Entomology Department, joins us to explain how fireflies produce their mesmerizing glow. Also on tap... Made in the Shade: How Shade Tolerance Influences Woodlands and…
From the Woods Today - Monitoring for Invasives [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:23
This week, Frannie Preston, University of Kentucky Department of Forestry and Natural Resources - Extension, joins us to learn about invasive plants and how to monitor them. How they change, tracking them, and more! Late…
From the Woods Today - Kentucky Farmland Transition Initiative [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:28
Aleta Botts stops by the show to talk to us all about the Kentucky Farmland Transition Initiative! The Kentucky Farmland Transition Initiative was launched in spring 2024 to provide resources to farmers and landowners se…
From the Woods Today - Morels [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:13
This week on From the Woods Today, we are joined by Assistant Professor of Biology at the University of Pikeville, Byron Meade, for a segment all about morels! If you have ever wanted to learn how to identify these mushr…
From the Woods Today - Cicadas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:14
Cicadas in the news, again? It's true that a different brood is making its grand appearance in 2025 and most importantly, many of them are Kentucky cicadas! Jonathan Larson from UK Entomology will join From the Woods Tod…