The artificial intelligence tool is designed to help woodland owners identify trees,
assess timber value, and make informed management decisions
FRANKFORT, Ky. 鈥� An artificial intelligence tool designed to make forestry knowledge
more accessible to Kentucky woodland owners has earned 麻豆社 graduate
student Nischal Sapkota a $15,000 award through the 2026 Kentucky Commercialization
Ventures IMPACT Competition.
Sapkota, a graduate researcher in Dr. Manisha Parajuli鈥檚 forestry lab, is pursuing
a in the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources. He is developing AI-Forester,
a tool that would identify tree species and provide information about timber value,
forest health, and proper tree care.
Guided by Dr. Parajuli, Sapkota applies artificial intelligence and deep-learning models to tree-species recognition, forest-health assessment, and the development of a framework for large-scale plantation monitoring. Dr. Parajuli is an assistant professor of forestry and Sapkota鈥檚 graduate adviser.
鈥淢y master鈥檚 research uses artificial intelligence to recognize tree species and assess
tree conditions,鈥� Sapkota said. 鈥淎I-Forester takes that science and turns it into
a practical tool a landowner can use. The goal is to help Kentucky families understand,
utilize, and protect what they own.鈥�
AI-Forester would go beyond the identification functions available through many nature
applications. The proposed tool could describe a tree鈥檚 commercial value, identify
pests and diseases that may threaten it, offer guidance for managing the surrounding
stand, and direct users to professional forestry assistance.
Tailored specifically to Kentucky鈥檚 hardwood forests, the tool seeks to address a
significant information gap. Kentucky has approximately 12.4 million acres of forestland,
88 percent of which is privately owned. Many woodland owners may not have ready access
to the knowledge needed to identify valuable species, recognize forest-health concerns,
or evaluate management options.
Dr. Parajuli noted that the award reflects Sapkota鈥檚 ability to connect graduate research with a practical need in Kentucky鈥檚 forestry community.
鈥淎I-Forester has the potential to make forestry knowledge more accessible to landowners and help them make informed decisions about tree identification, timber value, and forest health,鈥� Dr. Parajuli said.
Kentucky Commercialization Ventures helps researchers and innovators at Kentucky鈥檚 public universities move promising ideas toward practical use. Its IMPACT Competition supports projects with the potential to benefit the Commonwealth while providing guidance on development and commercialization.
Dr. Marcus Bernard, dean of the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources, said the recognition highlights the strength of student innovation at Kentucky State and the importance of connecting research with real-world needs. The project also advances the University鈥檚 land-grant mission by combining research, technology, and outreach to support Kentucky communities and responsible natural resource management.
During the project鈥檚 12-month development period, Sapkota and Dr. Parajuli will build a functioning prototype, assemble a Kentucky-specific image library of important hardwood species, and begin testing the tool with woodland owners. Dr. Parajuli will continue providing research leadership, technical guidance, and mentorship as the project advances toward commercialization.
Their long-term goal is to make AI-Forester available to landowners across the Commonwealth.
鈥淲inning this award is an honor, and it is also an opportunity to represent Kentucky State,鈥� Sapkota said. 鈥淚t gives this idea a real chance to grow into something that can serve Kentucky鈥檚 woodland families for years to come. I would like to thank my adviser, Dr. Parajuli, for encouraging me to apply for this opportunity and for guiding me throughout the development of this idea.鈥�
The $15,000 award will support prototype development, image-library creation, and initial field testing, with Kentucky Commercialization Ventures providing guidance as the project moves toward potential release.