November 14, 2017
‘About My Woods’ App Now Includes Kansas, Great Plains
Submitted by Jennifer Williams
Thanks to a grant from the State and Private Forestry organization of the USDA Forest Service, the Kansas Forest Service and Innovative Natural Resource Solutions, LLC have completed an update to a free smartphone application for Kansas and Great Plains woodland owners.
About My Woods was initially developed by the North East State Foresters Association in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service, and was designed to increase landowners’ knowledge of their woodlands and related natural resources. The update has added information pertinent to Kansas and the Great Plains.
The smartphone app facilitates hands-on learning opportunities, such as tree, plant, and wildlife identification. It includes a mapping feature that enables landowners to pinpoint their woodland location and access information about soils, land cover type, and watersheds. It also provides both satellite and topographic imagery.
In addition to maps, About My Woods will help the user find Kansas Forest Service district foresters, private forestry consultants and contractors, information on the Kansas Forestry Association, and other important natural resource organizations.
About My Woods is organized into five sections: Maps, What’s in my woods, Things to know, Who can help, About My Woods videos and Field notes. What’s in my woods includes high-quality photos and information about trees, wildflowers, animals, and invasive species. Things to know includes a glossary, frequently-asked questions, threats and benefits to woodlands, how to find foresters, and links to related natural resource sites & organizations. Who can help provides a county-level listing of foresters and other natural resource professionals that can assist with natural resource management. About My woods videos are a series of forest stewardship videos to help woodland owners manage their lands. Field notes is a great way to collect information about woodlands while the user is on site.
The Kansas Forest Service encourages landowners and natural resource professionals interested in learning more about the natural resources on their property to download the app at the App Store (Apple) or Play Store (Android).