The Kentucky Energy & Environment Cabinet, along with other state agencies, has signed a shared stewardship agreement. Through this agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, the Commonwealth aims to better manage the various lands and waters throughout every region.
Bridget Abernathy, Assistant Director with Kentucky Division of Forestry, said the agreement brought together many state and federal partners.
“So, essentially, this agreement establishes a framework for federal and state agencies to better collaborate, focus on accomplishing mutual goals, furthering our common understandings and interests, and also effectively responding to increasing ecological challenges and our natural resource concern throughout the state,” Abernathy said.
Kentucky had multiple catastrophic weather events within the past few years, including the devastating 2022 flooding in eastern Kentucky. Abernathy said the Commonwealth, which is the last state to sign on a shared stewardship agreement, has been challenged with rebuilding following the damage from these events.
“We’ve recognized that these challenges must be met with proactive measures across all of our lands. So, that could be including restoring some of our fire-adaptive communities to reduce the risks of wildfires, identifying and managing the threats to forests and our ecosystem health, also actively managing our forests sustainably,” Abernathy said.
She also said some state and federal organizations in the shared stewardship agreement include the Kentucky Educational Labor Cabinet, the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, and the Transportation Cabinet.
“What we want the public to understand is that we’re working together toward a common goal to face the different kind of challenges that we have and to address them and we’re using the science that is best available and identifying the needs as they evolve,” Abernathy said.
Abernathy also says everyone involved is committed to addressing the issues they face together. More information about environmental initiatives can be found on the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources website.