Bluegrass Trout Unlimited

http://app.fw.ky.gov/eventregistration/startpage.aspx?REGID=425

Join the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) and the UK Cooperative Extension Office presenting Cookwild Live at the Kentucky State Fair!

Attendees will watch the process from caught to cooked - including fish filleting, proper storage, and cooking techniques. Cookwild features wild game recipes that are easy to make, won’t break the bank, and delicious. This program will showcase The Catch of the Day Burger with samples provided while supplies last.

The first 100 registered participants will receive a FREE Hook and Cook cutting board after checking in with KDFWR staff following the program.

When: Wednesday, August 21st 12:15PM - 1:30PM

Where: Farm To Fair Cooking Stage located in South Wing A Lobby

Register here: https://bit.ly/4caUG4V

It's that time of year again to learn all about Kentucky's non-game species!🦇🐍🦋🐢🦉

Tune in to our annual Kentucky Wild Live Q&A Show on Monday, August 12, 2024 at 7pm ET on Facebook, Youtube, and fw.ky.gov!

We'll have a panel of experts there answering all of your questions about Kentucky's animals that aren't hunted, fished, or trapped.

Have a question of your own? Submit your question in the comments below! ⬇

In light of our recent episode... Let's settle this!🦞

Is this a crawfish?
A crayfish?
Or maybe a crawdad?!
What do YOU call it? Let us know in the comments below!

To find out what the experts say, be sure to tune in to our annual Kentucky Wild Live Q&A Show on August 12th, 2024 @ 7pm ET!

The more you know!
Crayfish are important to an ecosystem for many reasons:
⭐Biodiversity: Crayfish contribute to the overall biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems, creating a more resilient and balanced environment.
⭐Food Source: They are a key food source for many animals, including fish, birds, mammals, and amphibians.
⭐Nutrient Cycling: Crayfish play a significant role in nutrient cycling by breaking down plant material and detritus. This decomposition process releases nutrients back into the ecosystem.
⭐Habitat Engineers: Crayfish burrowing activities help to aerate the soil and create habitats for other aquatic organisms. Their burrows provide shelter for smaller creatures and contribute to the structural diversity of aquatic habitat.
⭐Water Quality: By consuming organic debris and plant material, crayfish help to maintain water quality. They reduce the buildup of decaying matter, which can otherwise lead to decreased oxygen levels and poor water conditions.
⭐Indicator Species: Crayfish are sensitive to pollutants, such as heavy metals, pesticides, and other contaminants, making them good indicators of ecosystem health. Their population levels can reflect overall quality of the aquatic environment.
👍🏼But remember, a species in an area that is not native to the area is considered invasive.

Photo: Panama City crayfish, FWC, Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 2.0, https://www.fws.gov/banner/panama-city-crayfish-0

That feeling NEVER goes away!

Since our latest video aired we’ve gotten a lot of questions about the float that we did… You can find info about it and many many more awesome floats on the department’s “Blue Water Trails” page! 🎣🛶

https://fw.ky.gov/Education/Pages/Blue-Water-Trails.aspx

It's HOT outside! 😬☀️

Thankfully, Kentucky is filled with awesome stream fishing opportunities to catch fish AND cool off in the summer heat! Check out our Blue Water Trails to plan your next fishing venture!⬇
https://fw.ky.gov/Education/Pages/Blue-Water-Trails.aspx

Also, remember to tune in to this weekend's show as we grab our kayaks and flyfish one of those Blue Water Trails: the South Fork of the Kentucky River!

Science underpins our policy positions, and guides where and how we focus our conservation efforts. ​

Our national network of scientists and program staff have specialized skills in conservation genetics, web mapping and data visualization, fisheries and ecology, population modeling, entomology, hydrology, engineering, restoration and remote sensing.

Decision-support tools and maps help inform Priority Water discussions among staff, volunteers, and partners, and our scientists will help us assess where we’re succeeding and where we can do better.

Learn more about our science-based approach in our here: https://prioritywaters.tu.org/how-we-work/rooting-conservation-in-science/

We agree... look for our petition coming soon! haha