IP-74: Open Burning

Amanda Gumbert | January 22, 2026 (Major Revision)

Disposing of our waste items by open burning has been a way of life for many years. Many of us grew up with a backyard burn barrel, and some of us may still use such a disposal device. However, today’s waste contains more plastics and other synthetic materials than ever before. These materials release more harmful chemicals when burned than the cardboard and paper packaging of the past. Open burning can negatively impact our environment and our health. Many respiratory diseases such as asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and nervous system disorders have been linked to open burning.

HENV-207: Kentucky Wetlands

Amanda Gumbert, Emily Nottingham, Tiffany Messer | November 11, 2025 (New)

Wetlands are special areas on the land. The three major parts of a wetland are water, soil, and plants. In wetlands, water covers the soil or is near the surface all of the time or at least part of the year. Wetland soils lack oxygen and may appear dark or gray.

ID-242: Central Kentucky Backyard Stream Guide

Carmen Agouridis, Amanda Gumbert, Chris Sass | July 2, 2024 (Minor Revision)

Many urban homeowners are not sure what to do about the stream in their backyard. Who owns it? How can I take care of it? What plants are good for my streambanks? These common questions lead to some confusing answers. This publication is designed to help the homeowner of a backyard stream appreciate this resource, protect personal property, and improve water quality and habitat.

ID-279: Understanding and Protecting Kentucky Wetlands

Amanda Gumbert, Tiffany Messer, Emily Nottingham | June 10, 2024 (New)

Wetlands are areas where water either covers the soil or soil is saturated permanently or seasonally. Wetlands have soils that have developed anaerobic (lacking oxygen) conditions in the upper part of the soil layer, known as hydric soils. Plant species that have adapted to survive in these conditions are known as hydrophytes. Since water is essential for almost everything on earth, wetlands are one of the most biologically productive ecosystems on the planet and are home to plants, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish that are uncommon in other ecosystems.

IP-73: Living Along a Kentucky Stream

Katherine Bullock, Amanda Gumbert, Lee Moser | May 10, 2024 (Minor Revision)

Streams are a part of our rich natural legacy. That's why it's important to protect, improve, and preserve them for generations to come.

HENV-711: Homeowners Guide to Rainwater Harvesting: Rain Barrels and Beyond

Amanda Gumbert, Lee Moser | June 30, 2022 (New)

Stormwater runoff is one of the many water quality and quantity challenges in urban settings. Urbanization increases the proportion of impervious surfaces (surfaces that prevent rainfall from soaking into the ground, such as roofs and driveways) in a landscape. Greater amounts of impervious surfaces increase the volume of stormwater runoff to storm sewers and local waterways. As stormwater flows across impervious surfaces, it can transport pollutants to nearby streams and rivers.

HENV-709: Sanitary Sewer Overflows: Risks and Homeowner Responsibilities

Amanda Gumbert, Lee Moser | April 22, 2022 (New)

A sewer system is an underground network of pipes that carries sewage and wastewater from homes and businesses to a treatment plant. There are two types of sewer systems. Modern sanitary sewer systems are designed to be a separate network of pipes and infrastructure from those that manage stormwater; these are known as separate sanitary sewers. Some municipalities still have combined sewers that manage both sanitary sewage and stormwater in the same pipes; these are known as combined sewers.

HENV-710S: Desbordamientos de Alcantarillado Sanitario: Lexington, Kentucky Medidas Correctivas y Consejos Utiles

Amanda Gumbert, Lee Moser | April 22, 2022 (New)

Un sistema de alcantarillado es una red subterranea de tuberias que transporta aguas residuales (sucias) desde hogares y negocios hasta una planta de tratamiento. Hay dos tipos de sistemas de alcantarillado.

HENV-707: Residential Stormwater Site Assessment

Amanda Gumbert, Lee Moser | April 22, 2022 (New)

Urban areas can impact both the quality and quantity of water in local waterways. Homeowners can help protect water resources by utilizing stormwater management practices on their property. These practices, sometimes called green infrastructure or Low-Impact Development (LID) practices, aim to manage stormwater where it is generated instead of sending it into a storm sewer system. To select the best practices for residential settings it is important to make a site assessment.

HENV-709S: Desbordamientos de Alcantarillado Sanitario: Riesgos y Responsabilidades de los Propietarios

Amanda Gumbert, Lee Moser | April 22, 2022 (New)

Un sistema de alcantarillado es una red subterranea de tuberias que transporta aguas residuales (sucias) desde hogares y negocios hasta una planta de tratamiento.