 | | Our Mission The goal of this project is to empower individuals with the information necessary to make holistic decisions concerning their forests. This increased knowledge will enhance the decision making process and ensure sustainable forests for the land owner and future generations. The project was developed to work with natural resource issues facing communities and individuals (seniors, widows, families, and communities) that often have to make decisions about their land and resources at difficult times, such as the death of a spouse. When faced with such a decision, without knowledge, people feel like victims rather than having the strength from the land and its resources. This has been a trend over the past 100 years in rural America and has been detrimental to natural resource stewardship. Specifically, the objective is to reach Kentucky families that are usually not included in making stewardship information, but whose own decisions and choices will be the legacy for their children and grandchildren. This project works towards the insurance that Kentucky families will have the information needed to make sound economical and environmental decisions.
Partnering Organizations
Current Phase of the Program Check out Connecting Communities - for a web exchange experience between forestry, culture, schools, and communities in Alaska and Kentucky. "The What Is Forestry: Connecting Communities program is a community based forestry education program designed to involve both students and adults in developing a greater understanding of forestry and tree related knowledge based upon culture and wood product usage. Both timber and non-timber related products and values will be discussed in the program that is based upon both science and cultural aspects of forestry"-Bob Wheeler, University of Alaska The other strong component of the WIF: Connecting Communities program is people sharing information about culture and heritage in relation to the natural resources of their home land. Both people in Kentucky (Appalachia) and Alaska have strong cultural and spiritual ties to the land and forest in which they live. Youth will be involved in creating an Internet exchange site to share stories and pictures explaining these differences while learning of the similarities. We feel this will promote the wise use of resources, a respect for heritage, and foster a greater tolerance and appreciation for differences. Connecting Communities treats learning about natural resources and the forest in a more holistic approach involving youth that in turn expresses their new knowledge to adults through community activities and presentations. Interested in adult education: Check out the adult/women educational programs being piloted 2002-2003. |