May 26, 2020
Shout Out: Kansas Forest Service’s Andy Klein
This week’s Shout Out comes from Luke Terry, owner of Custom Applications, LLC via Cassie Wandersee – our Communications Coordinator for the Kansas Forest Service. Cassie wrote:
“COVID-19 is one of many challenges faced by riparian foresters at the Kansas Forest Service. Flooding in watersheds across northeast Kansas in the spring of 2019 destroyed many riparian forest buffers. A delayed start to planting season due to shelter at home orders meant that foresters got an even later start to replant riparian buffers.
Once field work resumed, Andy Klein, Water Quality Forester for the Kansas Forest Service, returned to riparian buffers in the Tuttle Creek Watershed to begin replanting. Over the course of three days, Andy led efforts to replant those buffers beginning each day at 7 a.m. and finally stopping each day at nearly midnight to stay ahead of the rain in the forecast.
“Y’all have one heck of an employee and even better man,” said Terry. “We’re both very focused and are trying to get the job done correctly and safely. These are long days and keep us away from our families. I can’t say enough good things about Andy and his dedication, cutting edge efforts, and hard work!”
Thank you to Andy and Luke for your dedicated service to water quality in Kansas!”
Andy, thank you for the work you do for the people we serve, our natural resources, your colleagues, Kansas Forest Service, and K-State Research and Extension.
If you know of a colleague or team of colleagues who deserve a Shout Out for doing a great job, nominate them for a Shout Out by sending their name(s) and the reason for the Shout Out to ghadley@ksu.edu.