Kansas Canopy

Join Kansas landowner and long-time woodland manager Tim Lyons as we discuss his journey over the last 30 years working to improve and protect the woodlands on his property and in his community!

Join us this month as we sit down in the Kansas State University Herbarium with Assistant Research Professor Mark Mayfield to discuss the incredible collection of dried plant specimens that serve as KSU's natural history museum of plants!

Learn more about the herbarium: https://www.k-state.edu/herbarium/

In this month's episode, we have the privilege to sit down with water quality forester, Andy Klein. Join us as Andy delves into the intricacies of his impactful work within our vital riparian forests. Andy brings to light how his efforts are intertwined with the practices of regenerative agriculture, ensuring a harmonious balance between the needs of the land, local communities, and our precious water resources.

Find your rural district forester: https://www.kansasforests.org/about/district_offices/index.html

Connect with other staff: https://www.kansasforests.org/about/staff/index.html

Find a Kansas contractor: https://www.kansasforests.org/rural_forestry/consultantsandcontractors.html

Community Forestry Program Coordinator Matt Norville joins us this month to discuss the do's and don'ts of young tree pruning and why it matters!

Join GIS Analyst Darci Paull and Fuels Specialist Luke Berning to explore the new Kansas Wildfire Risk Assessment Portal. The Kansas Wildfire Risk Assessment Portal is the primary mechanism for Kansas Forest Service to deploy wildfire risk information and create awareness about wildfire issues across the state.

This portal is tailored to support specific workflow and information requirements for the public, local community groups, private landowners, government officials, hazard-mitigation planners, and wildland fire managers. The portal also provides the baseline information needed to support mitigation and prevention efforts across the state.

South central Rural District Forester Chris Mullins shares with us how he works with landowners to create optimal woodland wildlife habitat for hunting, conservation, and enjoyment.

Financial incentive programs for woodland managers: https://www.kansasforests.org/rural_forestry/financialincentiveprograms.html

Habitat First Program: https://ksoutdoors.com/Services/Private-Landowner-Assistance/Wildlife-Biologists/Habitat-First-Program

Discover Kansas Forests: https://www.kansasforests.org/discover_kansas_forests/index.html

Contact your rural district forester: https://www.kansasforests.org/about/district_offices/index.html

Utilization and Marketing Forester Dave Bruton shares the important considerations landowners need to know before selling their timber. He also includes information about locating sawmills in Kansas and resources to assist landowners and timber buys in their transactions.

Join Rural District Forester EJ Jamison and Assistant Fire Management Officer Dennis Carlson to discuss the ecology, purpose, and history of prescribed fire in Kansas woodlands.

Fire in Eastern Oak Forests: https://www.fs.usda.gov/nrs/pubs/inf/nrs_inf_39_22.pdf

Connect with Kansas Forest Staff: https://www.kansasforests.org/about/staff/index.html

View Upcoming Events: https://www.kansasforests.org/events/index.html

USDA Webinars: https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/products/multimedia/webinars

Eastern redcedar is a native Kansas conifer essential for windbreaks in many parts of the state. While essential in some ways, Eastern redcedar can become aggressive if not managed and poses a serious wildfire risk. Join Rural Forestry Program Coordinator Ryan Armbrust to learn about the merits and management of this important species. This is a two part discussion, make sure to listen to last month's episode for the full discussion!

Eastern redcedar is a native Kansas conifer essential for windbreaks in many parts of the state. While essential in some ways, Eastern redcedar can become aggressive if not managed and poses a serious wildfire risk. Join Rural Forestry Program Coordinator Ryan Armbrust to learn about the merits and management of this important species. This is a two part discussion, make sure to listen to next month's episode for the conclusion!

Join Assistant Fire Management Officer Eric Ward to learn about the Kansas Forest Service Mitigation Project and how it helps to train our next generation of wildland firefighters while also reducing wildfire risk on public lands.

Join Turkey Creek Trees owner Chris Pool as we discuss planting and care of fruit trees in Kansas!

Brand names appearing in this podcast are for educational purposes only. No endorsement is intended, nor is criticism implied of brands not mentioned.

Join Conservation Trees Nursery Manager Aaron Yoder and Water Quality Forester Andy Klein as we discuss methods for new tree and shrub establishment in conservation plantings!

March is Women's History Month and we are celebrating with Kim Bomberger, Community Forester for NE KS. Kim looks back on her twenty years in our agency and how being the only female forester in 2003, and one of four female foresters today has impacted he work and her perspective on women in science and agriculture fields. 

In 2023, the Kansas Forest Service is excited to share our new mission statement; Sustaining and enhancing natural resources and communities through forestry and wildland fire management.Join Ariel and State Forester, Jason Hartman, to learn about the process of changing mission statements and what this means for the future of the Kansas Forest Service. 

The KS Champion Tree program has a newly redone website and nomination process for recognizing the largest trees in our state. Join Ariel and GIS Analyst Darci Paull to learn more about the program and how to nominate the biggest trees in your area!

Utilization and Marketing specialist Dave Bruton joins us this month to discuss selection and care of Christmas trees from local growers. Christmas tree growers are an important aspect of the forestry market in Kansas and they provide a fun agro-tourism experience for visitors. 

Invasive woody species, like bush honeysuckle and Callery pear, can devastate native woody species affecting the entire ecosystem. Last month we discussed how these species affect insects and this month we are joined by recently retired Extension Specialist and all-around bird enthusiast, Chuck Otte. With decades of bird watching experience, Chuck shares his thoughts on the factors impacting bird species in Kansas and why we should all pay more attention to the implications of those changes. 

Below are resources discussed on this episode.

In this episode we are joined by Forest Health Specialist Ryan Rastok to discuss the impacts that invasive woody species, like bush honeysuckle, have on our insect pollinators. Next month we'll take a look at how these same woody species impact birds.

Thank you to the Lawrence Public Library for allowing us to be the very first users of their new podcast recording room! In the first few minutes of the podcast you will hear the audio drop out on a few words. This is just part of the joy of technology and as we move deeper into the episode those issues resolve!

Managing your forestry resources can be a full-time job. Thankfully, forestry contractors like Luke Terry and Ryan Neises are available for hire so you don't spend all your free time working in the woodlands you'd rather be enjoying. Listen in as Luke and Ryan explain the many ways forestry contractors in Kansas are available to assist with resource management and what motivated them to work in forestry in Kansas.

This episode was originally published August 31st, 2021 and was re-published on a new platform in 2022.

District Forester Chris Mullins advises that the peak of fruit harvesting in Kansas is well underway by mid to late July – which means now is the time to harvest! Chris has been out gathering native sandhill plum with a local landowner to gather seed for the KFS conservation seedling program. Gathering local seed sources is an essential part of offering a genetic variety of plants that can tolerate harsh Kansas weather conditions.

When he isn’t assisting with seed collection, Chris provides guidance and assistance to landowners in south central Kansas on timber stand improvement, windbreaks, pollinator pockets, wildlife habitat, and many other topics!

Born-and-raised near Hutchinson, Kansas, Chris’ favorite tree and fruit comes from red mulberry. The fruit and leaves from the tree are high in protein. Red mulberry can also grow in many places where other high-value trees would not be likely to survive. Mulberries have long production season as well, with fruit often on the tress through August.

Chris spent time harvesting apricots earlier in the season as well but advises that they are highly susceptible to late frost damage. Blackberries are also in abundance this time of year. But forager be warned, the “cat like” thorns are likely to result in many cuts and scrapes.

Moving into the fall, persimmons will ripen in late fall – October and even into November. The unique flavor is nutty and favorite of deer (and bow hunters).

Paw paws are likely to be ripe or close to it in northeast Kansas along with fragrant sumac and rose hips.

Before heading to harvest, have a plan and recipe in mind. Knowing what you want to do with the fruit you harvest leaves fewer opportunities to waste the fruit. Base your harvest based on availability of fruit. In a good year, up to two-thirds of the fruit could be gathered without having negative impacts for the wildlife and insects that rely heavily on wild fruits for their diets.

Always ask for permission before harvesting on private land. There are also opportunities to harvest on public land – both at state parks and federal reservoirs. Always check with the managing office for local rules and regulations on harvesting from public lands.

Karen Blakeslee, extension associate with K-State Research and Extension, manages the Rapid Response Center and is one of the co-directors for the Value Added Food Lab. She has many years of experience on safe food preservation. She is a self-described “extension agent for extension agents” specializing in food safety.

She offers sage advice on how to safely preserve fruits and vegetables both wild and raised. As more and more people turn to home preservation, Karen warns that here has been a shortage of required preservation supplies and safe preservation knowledge for people new to the task. There is no shortage of misinformation online – be sure to always use recipes from a reputable resource like Research and Extension or the National Center for Home Food Preservation.

https://www.rrc.k-state.edu/preservation/index.html

https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/publications/food-nutrition/jams-and-jellies-from-native-wild-fruits/fn-1423-jams-and-jellies-from-native-wild-fruits.pdf

https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/publications/lawns-gardens-trees/the-windbreak-cookbook-featuring-fruits-of-prairie-forests/f1839.pdf

One pro tip Karen offers is to freeze fresh fruits individually on a cookie sheet before bagging for storage in the freezer. This will keep the fruit from turning into a single blob of frozen fruit.

Ryan Rastok is the Rural Forester for District 1 in northeast Kansas. In his role as a District Forester, Ryan serves landowners in seven counties - lending technical service and guidance on how to manage their rural forests.

In his district, Ryan works with a variety of landowners that have a variety of goals for their property.

Ryan was drawn to forestry through his education as a forest entomologist and working as an arborist through college. He now combines his passion for entomology and forestry in his everyday work.

Wildlife management and recreation are the most prevalent topics Ryan assists landowners with – often working closely with biologists from the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism. Timber stand improvement is one of the most common practices implemented to improve habitat by improving creating a disturbance in the forest to create a desired affect – generally more space for oak, hickory and other desirable species to thrive.

Through his time with Kansas Forest Service, Ryan has experienced an evolution in satisfaction for his working. He finds the greatest satisfaction by working with dedicated landowners that have a mindset and philosophy for doing conservation work for the love of it.

While the greatest satisfaction for Ryan comes from building relationships with those dedicated landowners, the demands for his time from hundreds of landowners in his district often means that he isn’t able to revisit the individuals implementing conservation practices.

Implementing conservation practices can be complicated by implementing cost-share programs. A heavy paperwork load and a specific set of practices can be difficult to navigate. But Ryan works with landowners to help them understand the process and practices.

Many landowners Ryan works with in his district are retired. He often hears how those landowners lament about days when they had more strength and energy for project they would like to implement on the property. They continue to push on and have a future mindset for the generations to come.

He advises landowners, both old and young, to meditate on the concept of patience and to not take on more than they can.

As a forest entomologist at heart, Ryan would like to remind everyone to not move firewood! It is the simplest way to prevent the spread of emerald ash borer and other invasive and highly damaging pests.

After our conversation, we did a little research and discovered that there is indeed a mascot for not moving firewood. It is a truly terrifying mascot that will make you think twice before you head out with that pickup load of wood: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/resources/pests-diseases/hungry-pests/meet-vin-vasive

You can even get a do-it-yourself mask to scare the neighborhood children: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/hungrypests/partner-tools/VinVasiveMask.pdf

To contact Ryan, feel free to email him at: rrastok@ksu.edu
Please be patient as it may take a few days to get a response!

Visit https://www.kansasforests.org/kansas_forest_services/district_offices/index.html and use the interactive map to find your District Forester.

This episode was originally published June 29, 2021 and was re-published on a new platform in 2022.

Tom Hogard's passion for woodworking began in junior high school when he opted to take woodshop. Over the years, he discovered that using salvaged logs or milling his own lumber provided some cost savings for his wooodworking projects.

Today, Tom owns and operates his own portable sawmill serving northeast Kansas through salvaging logs that might otherwise end up at the landfill or in a firewood stack. Tom also helps other forestland owners by serving as the President of the Kansas Forestry Association.

Learn more about the milling industry in Kansas and Tom and Dave Bruton, KFS Utilization and Marketing Forester, discuss lumber prices, the importance of native lumber, and how landowners and woodworkers can get involved in forestry in Kansas.

Learn more about Tom and his business, Tom the Sawyer, at https://www.tomthesawyer.net/
https://www.facebook.com/TomTheSawyerPortableSawmill

Kansas Forestry Association
https://www.ksforestryassociation.org/

Kansas Forest Service list of sawmills
https://www.kansasforests.org/forest_products/

This episode was originally published May 20, 2021 and was re-published on a new platform in 2022.

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
Email: ajklein@ksu.edu
Phone: 785-564-6673

Jarran Tindle, Watershed Forester
Email: tindle@ksu.edu
Phone: 785-532-3340

https://www.kansasforests.org/streamside_forestry/
https://www.facebook.com/kansasforestservice/

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

As rural areas of Kansas become more developed with homes, business and commercial properties, firefighters face new challenges to defend lives and property from wildfire.

Members of the Kansas Forest Service Wildland Fire Management Program bring years of first-hand experience suppressing wildfires that threaten lives and property in wildland urban interface areas. In this episode of the Kansas Forest Service Podcast, three members of the program discuss the expansion WUI across Kansas and how it has changed wildfire suppression tactics.

They also offer advice for homeowners to prepare your homes for wildfire.

Learn more about the KFS Wilandland Fire Management Program at kansasforests.org/fire_management/.

Find guides and advance to prepare your home for wildfire kansasforests.org/fire_management/fireprevention.html.

This episode was originally published May 12, 2020 and was re-published on a new platform in 2022.

When you work for the Kansas Forest Service in state that is known for wide open prairies, you get used to people saying – wait, you have trees in Kansas? Yeah, we have trees, but there is much more to the agency than trees. Kansas Forest Service staff are the roots that support the agency and provide service to all Kansans. In the first ever episode of the Kansas Forest Service Podcast, members of the staff explore the relevance of public service in their lives and how it relates to their passion for forestry and conservation. Learn more at KansasForests.org.

This episode was originally published April 14, 2020 and was re-published on a new platform in 2022.