From the Woods Today

Something creepy is lurking in the woods! Join us for a special Halloween edition of From the Woods Today as we take a closer look at some of the strange, spooky, and fascinating things hiding in our forests. Dr. Jonathan Larson, UK Department of Entomology, introduces us to the eerily named deathwatch beetle and the creepy folklore behind the mysterious tapping sounds that gave them their name.

Also on tap...Dr. Ellen Crocker, UK Department of Forestry and Natural Resources - Extension, digs into the weird and creepy world of fungi. From unusual shapes and colors to fungi that seem right at home in a Halloween tale, these fungi show just how wonderfully weird the forest floor can be.

As Halloween creeps closer, things that go flutter in the night often get a bad reputation. Bats are featured in spooky stories, haunted houses, and Halloween decorations, but these creatures are far more fascinating than frightening! Join Dr. John Cox, UK Forestry and Natural Resources, as he shares the important role bats play and helps us discover why they deserve a place in our forests, not just in our Halloween decorations.

Also on tap...Trees are an important part of our culture. They are also part of many myths, legends, and folklore. Join Frannie Preston, UK Forestry and Natural Resources - Extension, as she explores fascinating stories about trees from around the globe and right here in Kentucky and helps us learn how trees have rooted themselves not only in our forests, but also in our stories.

Just in time for the spooky season, join us on From the Woods Today as Dr. DJ McNeil, UK Forestry and Natural Resources, takes us into the fascinating world of spooky birds. Learn about the haunting calls of whip-poor-wills and the silent flight of owls that have inspired myths, legends, and spooky stories for generations.

Also on tap...Bush honeysuckle is one of Kentucky's most troublesome invasive plants, crowding out natives and altering woodlands. Join Dr. Ellen Crocker, UK Forestry and Natural Resources - Extension, to learn how to identify this invasive shrub, understand its impacts on forests and landscapes, explore effective control options, and how it spreads so aggressively.

Did you know that some animals can glow? And you might not have to travel far to find them! Join Frannie Preston, UK Forestry and Natural Resources - Extension, as she explores the fascinating world of biofluorescence and bioluminescence. Learn which animals glow, why they glow, and discover the key differences between these two amazing natural phenomena. You may be surprised to find that some glowing creatures are living right in your own backyard! Also on tap...Trees and Water: A Natural Connection with Dr. Amanda Gumbert, UK Forestry and Natural Resources - Extension, who will discuss the important relationships between forests, water quality, and healthy ecosystems. Also Beth Williams, Kentucky Division of Forestry, will recognize National Loggers Day (October 12) as she highlights the important contributions loggers make to Kentucky's forests, communities, and forest products industry.

Thinking about selling timber from your woodland? Join Bill Knott with the Kentucky Division of Forestry as he shares valuable tips for landowners planning a timber sale, including how to protect your interests, maximize your investment, and ensure a successful harvest.

Also on tap...Laurie Thomas, UK Forestry and Natural Resources - Extension, helps us answer one of fall's most colorful questions: Why do leaves change color in autumn? Discover the science behind the brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows that light up Kentucky's forests each year. Get practical woodland advice and fascinating forest science all in one episode!

There are many animal species in Kentucky that are more active at night, and some of them live in trees. Join Frannie Preston, UK Department of Forestry & Natural Resources - Extension, to learn about these nocturnal animals, their adaptations, and how they depend on the trees in your woodlands. Also on tap...Chad Niman, UK Department of Forestry & Natural Resources - Extension, joins us to discuss cross-laminated timber (CLT), what it is, how it is transforming the construction industry, and the growing opportunities it presents for Kentucky's forests including a conference being held October 12 -14 in Lexington.

Ever wondered if that black bird is a crow or a raven? Join us on Wings of Kentucky as Dr. DJ McNeil, UK Department of Forestry & Natural Resources, breaks down the key differences between crows and ravens, from their size and calls to their flight patterns. Plus, did you know there are two species of crows found in Kentucky? Dr. McNeil will also explain how to tell them apart!

Also on tap...Dr. Ellen Crocker, UK Department of Forestry & Natural Resources - Extension, joins us to talk about fall mushrooms, including what species you may encounter this season and why fungi play such an important role in Kentucky's woodlands.

Don't miss this fascinating look at two of nature's most intriguing subjects!

Looking for your next outdoor adventure? Check out Kentucky Outdoors, a new partnership between the University of Kentucky Department of Forestry & Natural Resources and the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources focused on hunting, fishing, shooting sports, wild game cooking, and outdoor education. Join Dr. Matt Springer, Jacob Coleman, Andy McQueen, and Jann Knappage from the Department of Forestry & Natural Resources - Extension as they discuss how Kentucky Outdoors is connecting people with opportunities to hunt, fish, participate in shooting sports, and learn more about wild game preparation and outdoor recreation.

This week on From the Woods Today, we're joined by Beth Williams, Kentucky Master Logger Coordinator, to discuss the importance of Best Management Practices (BMPs) in forestry and logging operations. BMPs help protect water quality, reduce erosion, and ensure that Kentucky's forests remain healthy and productive. Beth will share how these practices are implemented on the ground and why they play such a critical role in forest management. Also on tap: Dr. Manisha Parajuli from Kentucky State University's School of Agriculture and Natural Resources joins us to discuss how drone technology is being used to monitor BMPs and give landowners a bird's-eye view of forestry practices.

This week on From the Woods Today, learn why some areas are full of wildlife while others seem quiet. The answer often come down to how our landscapes are owned and managed. Join Jacob Stewart, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, as he explores how land ownership patterns and land-use decisions shape wildlife habitat across Kentucky. From family forests and farms to public lands and developed areas, every management choice influences where wildlife can find food, cover, and places to thrive. Also on tap: Join Ellen Crocker, University of Kentucky Department of Forestry and Natural Resources - Extension, as she returns with another Pesky Plants segment featuring kudzu. Known as the "the vine that ate the South," this invasive plant grows rapidly, smothering trees, shrubs, and native vegetation under a blanket of dense foliage. Join us to learn more.