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Center
Receives 2008 Urban Forestry Grant
The Center for
Applied Ecology has been awarded a grant from the Kentucky
Division of Forestry to continue the student internship program.
By working on real-world urban forestry and ecological
restoration projects, student will gain knowledge, technical
skills, and practical work experience. To learn more about
student opportunities and accomplishments, check out our
Student
page.
Emerald Ash Borer Survey
The University
of Kentucky, Department of Entomology is spearheading an emerald
ash borer (EAB) survey. The EAB is an exotic beetle from Asia.
The larvae (the
immature stage of the beetle) feed on the inner bark of ash
trees, disrupting the tree's ability to transport water and
nutrients, and ultimately killing the tree. The EAB has had
devastating impacts, killing over 30 million ash trees in
Michigan alone. The EAB has been found in states bordering
Kentucky including Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Wet Virginia.
Student
interns from the Center for Applied Ecology are assisting with
the survey and have placed EAB traps throughout Campbell and
Pendleton Counties. The traps will be collected in August to
assess the presence and extent of EAB in Kentucky.
Stream
Restoration at Adair Wildlife Management Area
Adair Wildlife Management
Area, located in southern Boone County, is owned and operated by
the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Through
the Northern Kentucky Stream and Wetland Restoration Fund, the
Center for Applied Ecology is restoring and enhancing 7,000
linear feet of stream and associated wetlands. Restoration
activities include restoration of stream sinuosity, construction
of floodplains, creation of a riffle/pool complex, and bank
stabilization. Impounded tributaries are being
restored by removing a remnant dam and sediment soils, sloping and
re-vegetating the banks, and removing headcuts. Riparian habitat
will be enhance through waste removal and re-forestation.
Reforest Northern Kentucky
2008
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Campbell County Environmental
Education Center, AJ Jolly Park
9:30 am -12:30 pm
The Northern Kentucky Urban &
Community Forestry Council teamed up with Northern Kentucky
University to sponsor the second annual Reforest Northern
Kentucky event. Volunteers planted trees to restore some
currently mowed, open areas back to native forest, which will
create a habitat for wildlife, help to improve air and water
quality, prevent soil erosion and reduce maintenance costs. This
project was an excellent opportunity to link the campus with the
community, all working toward a common goal and helping to
improve the environment and quality of life in Northern
Kentucky. Click here for a copy of the
event flyer.
2007 Urban Forestry Grant Awarded
The Center for Applied
Ecology has been awarded an Urban & Community Forestry
Assistance Grant.
The grant
funding is
provided by the U.S. Forest Service and administered through the
Kentucky Urban Forestry Council and the Kentucky Division of
Forestry. Funds will be used to establish an urban forestry
internship program. The goal of the program is to provide
forestry education, technical training, and practical work
experience to Northern Kentucky University undergraduate
students.
Campbell
County Homegrown Banquet Event
Monday,
August 6, 6:00-9:00 pm
The Campbell County Farmland
Work Group, in partnership with the Center for Applied Ecology,
sponsored a banquet to raise awareness
in the community and illustrate the important role that
agriculture and greenspace play in the county’s economy.
The Farmland Work Group, a volunteer group advocating for the
preservation of local farmland, has been providing input as
Campbell County's planning commission prepares to update its
comprehensive plan. The plan seeks to balance economic
development with farmland preservation, environmental
protection, and greenspace.
About 200 local leaders were
invited to enjoy a "farm to fork" dinner, emphasizing the
availability and quality of locally grown foods. Guest speakers
included Chris King, Director of Planning in Lexington-Fayette
County and Billy F. Van Pelt, Director of Lexington's Purchase
of Development Rights Program. Lexington is overcoming
challenges similar to those facing Campbell County. Their
approach is enhancing economic values for developers and
farmers, as well as preserving the ecology and open recreation
land for residents and tourists.
Sponsors and supporters of the
event included
Campbell County Fiscal Court,
Campbell County Planning Commission,
Campbell County Conservation District,
Campbell County Cooperative Extension,
Campbell Conservancy,
Campbell County Farm Bureau,
Campbell County Cattle Association,
Northern Kentucky Area Area Planning
Commission, and the
American Farmland Trust.
For more
information contact the Farmland Work Group, c/o Campbell County
Conservation District at (859) 635-9587 or
campbellcd@fuse.net.
Chainsaw Safety Workshop
Thursday,
August 9, 8:30-11:30 am
The Center
for Applied Ecology, the NKU Operations and Maintenance Office,
and the Campbell County Cooperative Extension Service hosted a workshop on chainsaw safety. The workshop
was taught by Bryan Equipment from Cincinnati.
Event Flyer››
Center Receives Preservation Award
On May 10, 2007 the Boone County
Historic Preservation Review Board honored the Boone County
Conservation District, the KY Department of Parks, and the NKU
Center for Applied Ecology with a preservation award for
relocating the bison at Big Bone Lick
State Park. The bison
herd, which had previously grazed in the floodplain and had
inadequate pasture, was moved to higher, greener pastures. The
move will help to improve the water quality of Big Bone Creek,
Gum Branch, and other tributaries.
Reforest
Northern Kentucky 2007
The first annual Reforest Northern Kentucky
Event was held March 31, 2007.
More than 110 volunteers planted nearly 2000 white oak, red oak,
yellow poplar and red bud seedlings at Big Bone Lick State Park
and received a seedling of their own to take home. The tree
planting project will help to protect water quality and restore
native habitats at the park. Reforest
Northern Kentucky was sponsored by the Northern Kentucky Urban
and Community Forestry Council with support from Big Bone Lick
State Park, Boone County Arboretum, Kentucky Division of
Forestry, Northern Kentucky Water District, NKU
Environmentally Concerned Organization of Students, and NKU
Center for Applied Ecology.
Thanks to all those who participated!
Campbell County Forest Quality Assessment Contract Awarded
The
Northern Kentucky Urban & Community Forestry Council is
sponsoring a forest quality assessment for Campbell County. The
assessment is an important next step toward the inclusion of
forest resources in land-use planning and decision-making for
Campbell County.
Under contract
to the Forestry Council, the Center for Applied Ecology will map
the forests using aerial photographs and then systematically
evaluate them for ecological quality and integrity. The
assessment is scheduled to be completed in March 2008.
Press Release›› |
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