Date on Honors Thesis

Spring 5-2026

Major

Earth and Environmental Sciences/Geology

Minor

Nonprofit Leadership Studies

Examining Committee Member

Mrs. Emily Johnson, Advisor

Examining Committee Member

Mrs. Jane Benson, Committee Member

Examining Committee Member

Mr. Mike Gowen, Committee Member

Examining Committee Member

Dr. Katharine Loughney, Committee Member

Abstract/Description

Kentucky’s lands and waterways have always defined the state. Our unique karst landscape, combined with the Appalachian Mountains and Ohio River, help characterize the state and its identity. However, across Kentucky conservation efforts within recent years have been under attack. Through legislation changes and policy challenges, various bills have sought to repeal Kentucky’s conservation efforts regarding water, soil, and land use. Furthermore, there has been a rise in environmental disasters within the state that cause long term issues for both rural and urban communities to contend with. The responsibility of land stewardship falls on a variety of entities but weighs heaviest on our conservation districts. Conservation districts within the state of Kentucky are responsible for fostering proper land stewardship within their communities. They are tasked with creating education programs for a variety of ages and providing resources to the community about the environment around them. However, not all conservation districts within the state may not be able to operate at the level they need to. Rural and urban dynamics can create barriers between resources and possibly inhibit certain organizations from being able to fulfill their duties. This study seeks to give a comparative analysis of the programs offered across the state of Kentucky, provide a feasibility study of program readiness for a rural conservation district, and create a plan of action for improvements in conservation programming across the state. It was found within this study that this contrast is not as large as originally thought, and that the conservation districts experience many of the same issues, such as staffing. It was also found in the feasibility study that many programs could be translated to a rural demographic with changes in resources and financial ability. Overall, grassroots mobilization, support from community and funding are needed for our conservation district to perform at the level they are expected to.

Download

Share

COinS