The Environmental and Natural Resource Issues (ENRI) Task Force, formed in the fall of 1994, was established to develop programs for the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service environmental education efforts.

The broad goals for the Task Force include:

• Identify emerging issues related to environmental and natural resource topics important to the rural and urban communities of Kentucky
• Provide leadership for knowledge transfer to increase environmental and natural resource literacy among rural and urban residents
• Facilitate partnerships with other agencies and groups that are responsive to the environmental needs of communities

The ENRI Core Group provides program leadership, coordinates activities, and directs the educational efforts of the Task Force. This group works to identify and prioritize environmental and natural resource issues that can be addressed through the Cooperative Extension Service. Focus Groups are then established to address specific, specialized issues or areas. These groups are established and dissolved as needed in response to critical issues and needs.