By Lynn Brammer Division of Forestry
Kentucky’s Wildland Fire Prevention and Education Team recently received the Silver Smokey Bear Award for outstanding work in wildland fire prevention in southeast Kentucky and surrounding states. This merit award has been bestowed on well-deserving groups and individuals annually since 1957 by the National Cooperative Forest Fire Prevention Committee.
“The Silver Smokey Award is given to organizations or individuals who have a significant impact on wildland fire prevention within a regional scope over a minimum two-year period,” said Leah MacSwords, director of the Kentucky Division of Forestry. MacSwords presented the award at the Governor’s Conference on the Environment in October. Jim Funk, Jennifer Turner, Evelyn Morgan and Gwen Hensley accepted the award on behalf of the team.
Evelyn Morgan and Gwen Hensley accepted the award on behalf of the team.
LEFT TO RIGHT: Frank Beum, Daniel Boone National Forest supervisor; Jim Funk, Jennifer Turner, Gwen Hensley and Evelyn Morgan, Kentucky Wildland Fire Prevention and Education Team; Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear and Leah MacSwords, director of the Kentucky Division of Forestry. Division of Forestry photo
Through the Cooperative Forest Fire Prevention Program, the USDA Forest Service, the National Association of State For-esters, and the Advertising Council sponsor the national Smokey Bear Awards to recognize outstanding service in the prevention of human-caused wildfires and to increase public recognition and awareness of the need for continuing wildfire prevention efforts. Smokey Bear Awards are chosen through a nomination process
and a maximum of five silver awards are handed out annually across the country. For more information about wildfire prevention, visit the KDF Web site at www.forestry.ky.gov.
Continued from Page 13
developing orchard management recommendations, conducting regional variety trials, understanding fruit ripening processes, and developing fruit storage techniques.
Dr. Pomper’s research efforts also generated interest at the Kentucky Division of Forestry (KDF). In 2008, KDF and KSU entered into an agreement whereby crop seeds were collected from KSU’s pawpaw orchards in order to increase the availability of seedlings at the state nurseries. The high-quality seedlings can be used for wildlife habitat, other traditional plantings or used by farmers for propagating superior pawpaw varieties. Additionally, a seedling bed at KDF’s Morgan County Nursery was planted with seeds selected from specimens at the KSU orchard that were native to Kentucky and characteristically bore heavy crops of medium to large fruit—essentially a “Best of Kentucky” crop. These seedlings will be used to establish a special pawpaw seed orchard so that KDF will have a seed source to annually produce a superior selection that will be sold as Best of Kentucky pawpaw seedlings. KDF foresters say that the Best of Kentucky seedlings will be available in four to five years.
Additionally, a seedling bed at KDF’s Morgan County Nursery was planted with seeds selected from specimens at the KSU orchard that were native to Kentucky and characteristically bore heavy crops of medium to large fruit—essentially a “Best of Kentucky” crop. These seedlings will be used to establish a special pawpaw seed orchard so that KDF will have a seed source to annually produce a superior selection that will be sold as Best of Kentucky pawpaw seedlings. KDF foresters say that the Best of Kentucky seedlings will be available in four to five years.
“Pawpaws are a valuable tree in Kentucky’s forests, and we are thrilled to partner with Kentucky State University,” said Leah MacSwords, KDF director. “Our partnership is an efficient and cost-effective way to increase the growth of quality pawpaws in our forests and on farms across the state. Everyone benefits.”
to partner with Kentucky State University," said Leah MacSwords, KDF director. "Our partnership is an efficient and cost-effective way to increase the growth of quality pawpaws in our forests and on farms across the state. Everyone benefits."
Organic growers and backyard gardeners who are interested in purchasing pawpaw seedlings should contact KDF at 1-800-866-0555 or fill out the seedling order form on Page 7. Seedlings are available at a reasonable price and are shipped in the late fall and early spring. For more information about KSUs pawpaw research program, visit www.pawpaw.kysu.edu.
For more information about KSUs pawpaw research program, visit www.pawpaw.kysu.edu.