Community Forester Kim Bomberger was celebrating Arbor Day before it was cool. Today, she helps communities and individuals connect to and protect their community forests.

On this episode of the Kansas Forest Service Podcast, Kim dives into the history of Arbor Day in Kansas - suggesting ideas for how we can celebrate in a pandemic world that hasn't returned to normal.

This episode was originally published April 22, 2021 and was re-published on a new platform in 2022.

Ag and Natural Resources Extension Agent Chuck Otte was inspired by his family to serve others. They also fostered a fascination with the natural world around him.

Today, Chuck inspires and connects those around him by providing expert advice on land management, farming, gardening, livestock health, and bird watching, just to name a few.

This episode was originally published February 16, 2021 and was re-published on a new platform in 2022.

On this episode of the Kansas Forest Service podcast, Dr. Barden explains the different types of Kansas woodlands. Dr. Charlie Barden is a Professor of Forestry and Extension Forester at Kansas State University. He dedicates his time and research to solving environmental problems with trees.

His research provides valuable knowledge to Kansans through a network of K-State Research and Extension Agents located in counties across Kansas.

This episode was originally published December 8, 2020 and was re-published on a new platform in 2022.

The uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic has many of us searching for ways to bring more joy to our lives as we distance ourselves from friends and family this holiday season. Phil Wegman and Amy Grelinger with the Kansas Christmas Tree Growers Association, share how their members are taking every precaution to ensure your family can safely visit and cut a fresh, Kansas tree this year. A tree that is seven to eight years in the making!

Find a Christmas tree farm near you: http://kctga.com/kctga_website_temp_037.htm

This episode was originally published November 17, 2020 and was re-published on a new platform in 2022.

In this episode, three of the Kansas Forest Service Community Foresters share why they were drawn to serve Kansans, how they are guided by the KFS mission, and ways for community members to get involved. Whether you are in Metro KC or a rural town in western Kansas, a KFS Forester is available to guide your community through the challenges of protecting and managing your urban forest.

This episode was originally published October 27, 2020 and was re-published on a new platform in 2022.

Kansans are innovative in their approaches to land management and forestry practices. We can learn many lessons by observing the work they are testing on their property for to improve water quality, grazing lands and wildlife habitat. For years, Roger Wells has shared his forward-thinking practices to land management with family, friends, neighbors, and has now partnered with the Kansas Forest Service to reach even more people.

This episode was originally published September 9, 2020 and was re-published on a new platform in 2022.

Wildland firefighting rookie Ryan Armbrust (the full-time Forest Health Coordinator for KFS), recently took an assignment on the Mid-Plains Interagency Handcrew. While on assignment, he was under the watchful eye of seasoned wildland firefighter and KFS District Fire Management Officer, Chris Hanson.

In the first bonus episode for the Kansas Forest Service Podcast, Ryan and Chris discuss the lessons learned on the fireline, how camp life differs in a COVID-19 world and swap stories about their favorite recipes!

This episode was originally published August 24, 2020 and was re-published on a new platform in 2022.

With 20 years of service to the Kansas Forest Service, Thad Rhodes, Rural Forester in District Five, works with landowners to reach their conservation and wildlife management goals. Driven by a passion for the outdoors and conservation, Thad motivates the landowners he works with by creating a tailored management plan that is manageable to implement.

Whether you enjoy big game hunting or bird watching, Kansas Forest Service Rural Foresters help landowners create a management plan to attract wildlife and meet conservation goals.

This episode was originally published August 10, 2020 and was re-published on a new platform in 2022.

The trees in our communities create shade, filter water, contribute to human health, reduce air pollution and much more. Our urban canopies are aging and in decline in many areas, but many are doing their part to protect and expand urban forests.

Listen in as Gary Farris, Arborist for the City of Wichita, and Tim McDonnell, Community Forestry Coordinator for KFS, discuss the challenges and importance of community forests.

This episode was originally published July 16, 2020 and was re-published on a new platform in 2022.

Complex stream systems require tailored approaches to address the conservation and resource concerns of Kansas landowners.

Andy Klein and Jarran Tindle are normally found on the streambanks of Kansas, but we persuaded them to share their wealth of experience with us on episode 3 of the Kansas Forest Service Podcast.

What does a Riparian Forester do?

Andy Klein explains that as a riparian forester, his job is to re-establish riparian forests along the rivers and large streams of Kansas. He most often works in the state's steambank protection program.

Jarran works closely with NRCS to plant buffers on small streams and creeks with Kansas landowners.

The root of it all.

Both Andy and Jarran were drawn to forestry because of their love of the outdoors and a desire to do something positive for the environment. While Kansas is not always known for its forestry, streambank systems contribute greatly to the ecosystem that fuels the natural resource systems of Kansas.

Jarran speaks about the ways he helps landowners realize that they can meet their conservation goals and financial needs with practical approaches to streambank management.

Conservation goals of landowners.

Erosion and the visual change and movement of streams is of great concern to landowners. Jarran finds that many landowners are driven by a desire to improve their land and make it more productive. By understanding the natural processes of streams to heal themselves, Jarran walks landowners through natural processes of flooding, sedimentation and movement that may have negative impacts.

Riparian forestry and flooding.

Riparian areas of Kansas took a hard hit from scouring flooding and backwater flooding in the spring of 2019. Andy sees the destructive impacts of flooding firsthand on the watersheds he works in daily.

Backwater in the Tuttle Creek Reservoir deposited over two feet of sediment on top of newly established seedlings and killed or stress many mature trees. Farmers were then faced with difficult decision on how to handle sediment deposited on their fields.

Flooding and sediment deposition has made Kansas farm ground productive and fertile.

What can communities do to reduce the risk of flooding.

Municipalities can invest in watershed through financial support to improve water quality for their cities and by planting wider riparian corridors in areas they manage. Slowing down flood waters reduces the sedimentation of water in streams and rivers. Investing in the land and streams has positive results for all involved.

How to contact Jarran and Andy.

Andy Klein, Water Quality Forester

Jarran Tindle, Watershed Forester

https://www.kansasforests.org/streamside_forestry/

This episode was originally published June 9, 2020 and was re-published on a new platform in 2022.