Forestry's Tom Barnes Is a Man of Many Talents

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 23, 2010) − By training and nearly 30 years of professional practice, Tom Barnes is an extension professor and extension wildlife specialist in the Department of Forestry, within the University of Kentucky's College of Agriculture. Through the extension of his passion for research in environmental conservation, environmental stewardship and biodiversity, Barnes also has become a well-known author and photographer.

"Being out in the woods a lot in my job, I discovered that taking pictures to document objects and places in nature was a perfect complement to my research," Barnes said. "Photography worked out to be a perfect blend with my professional life, and something I was able to develop even further as a hobby."

A native of South Dakota, Barnes has authored or contributed to five major books, including four which have been published by the University Press of Kentucky.

One of these, "Kentucky's Last Great Places," published in 2002, was a Kentucky Literary Award nominee and a regional bestseller.

Barnes' first truly national book project was published just this past fall by Acclaim Press, and has been very well received.

"The Gift of Creation: Images From Scripture and Earth," was edited by Norman Wirzba, with Barnes contributing the photographs. 

While the title may lead some to believe that it is heavily religious in its approach, Barnes said the goal of the book actually is to reach more of a lay audience.

"There are plenty of academic, theologically themed books about caring for the environment that have been published," Barnes said.

Barnes continued, "There often is a great disconnect between what people perceive as what their faith teaches and what actually constitutes good stewardship of the environment."

This latest book is selling very well and has received a number of positive reviews.

For Barnes, who was educated at Huron College, South Dakota State University, and Texas A&M University, taking care of the environment is a moral issue.

His research focuses on restoring native grasslands, and Barnes and his students at UK have worked in much of the eastern United States, from Kentucky to Indiana, from South Carolina to Alabama, as well as from South Dakota to Texas. The work involves removing invasive grass species and restoring native grasses, with and without seeding.

"We have made progress in some systems and in others it is more difficult," Barnes said. "The problem with invasive species is a tremendous challenge. Restoring native grasslands is expensive and time consuming."

When you add up working with county extension agents in Kentucky, giving presentations to organizations across the state, taking photographs, writing, doing research on native grasses and more, Tom Barnes is a busy man. He would not want it any other way.