The on-going degradation of water quality and aquatic habitat as well as compromised water supplies from resource extraction have been clearly documented at Robinson Forest. The potential consequences from global climate change along with disturbances from resource extraction result in a high degree of uncertainty for the region’s water resources. Management solutions developed to protect water resources from these issues has been a focus of major research in the University of Kentucky’s Department of Forestry and Natural Resources.

McIntire-Stennis supported research aims not only to develop best management practices (BMPs) for protecting watersheds from resource extraction, but research has also developed and demonstrated practices for restoring watershed health in historically impacted systems. Research in this area has informed policy development, provided professional and traditional outdoor teaching laboratories, and contributed to the protection and restoration of thousands of acres of Appalachian forests and their water resources.