Environmental EducationPlan of Work

Back to Plans for the County

Carter County CES

Title:
Environmental Education
MAP:
Environmental Education
Agents Involved:
Rebecca Konopka, Rebecca Hayes
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Science, Engineering, and Technology
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Agriculture
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Integrated Pest Management
Situation:

Forests cover 48% of Kentucky and are mostly privately owned. These forests provide numerous environmental benefits such as improved air, water, and wildlife habitat. Our forests also contribute significantly to our economy with a Kentucky forest industry who employs approximately 60,000 and contributes more than $13 billion annually to the Kentucky economy. Kentucky’s forests can be healthier and more productive by implementing sustainable forest management and utilization practices.


People, animals, and plants are dependent on our Earth’s natural resources. Everything from the air we breathe, to the water we drink, to the soil we use for food production – these resources are vital to our existence. Therefore, it is important that we care for and respect these resources. Understanding how our daily choices affect our environment, we can conserve natural resources and protect our environment for present and future generations.


Youth and clientele need to learn scientific research techniques, responsible practices and innovative technologies that positively address science, engineering, and technology issues in Kentucky and globally. Through the Land Grant University and Extension system, 4-H can expand its impact and extend its reach in science, engineering, and technology (4-H SET) by providing opportunities for hands-on scientific learning and discovery in 4-H clubs

Long-Term Outcomes:

Youth will choose a career path in science, engineering or technology subject matter. Youth will utilize the scientific method in decision in making. Youth will use scientific techniques, responsible practices and innovative technologies that will solve problems in their community and positively sustain the natural resources in the home, community and world. Participants will engage in community projects related to natural resource conservation.

Sustainable Kentucky agriculture will minimize environmental impact.

Kentucky’s trees and forests are better protected and managed.

Kentuckians have an enhanced ability to address a variety of forest health, management and utilization related issues, resulting in: increased revenue, increased forest productivity, improved water quality and improved forest health.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Youth will use and apply the skills gained from 4-H science, engineering and technology. Youth will demonstrate and share new abilities in science, engineering and technology with others. Youth will practice scientific methods learned from 4-H. Teens will mentor younger 4-H’ers in science, engineering and technology. Youth will use problem solving and logical reasoning skills and apply them to environmental issues.

Forest health, management and utilization activities/practices that support sustainable forests are implemented.

Individuals make more informed decisions regarding managing and utilizing forest resources.

Individuals complete Ky Pesticide Applicators Training resulting in:

Use personal protection equipment

Updated spray program

Adapt for good practices in chemical handling, storage and/or disposal

Evaluate weather conditions before applying chemicals

Alter existing spray program to reduce likelihood of resistance development or non-target impacts

Individuals implement best practices to:

• improve soil health

• conserve soil and/or water

• increase soil organic matter

• improve soil structure for water infiltration or retention

• increase ground cover for soil protection

• improve water quality

• protect stream banks or stream buffers

• plant native plants

Initial Outcomes:

Youth will increase interest and engagement in natural resources, science, engineering, and technology.

Youth will learn new skills in natural resources, science, engineering, and technology.

Youth will be introduced to careers in SET and natural resources.

Youth will develop an interest in environmental science and sustainable practices and technologies.

Youth will identify the natural resources that are used within their home and community.

Individuals will have a change in awareness and understanding of:

• Environmental, social, and economic importance of trees

• Threats facing forests and their utilization

• Forest health, management and utilization practices

Integrated Pest Management practices

Chemical safety and storage

Water quality

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:  Youth will increase interest and engagement in natural resources, science, engineering, and technology.

Indicator:  Participation increases in 4-H SET and natural resource programming.

Method: Win With Wood, Forestry Field Days, NRESci Academy, etc.

Timeline:  Ongoing


Initial Outcome: Participants learn proper pesticide usage

Indicator: Successful completion of the Private Applicator Training

Method: Private Application Trainings

Timeline: Spring


Initial Outcome: Youth will learn new skills in natural resources.

Indicator: 4th grade students complete leaf collections.

Method: School Enrichment; 4-H Leaf Collection Project

Timeline: August - October


Intermediate Outcome: Youth will learn new skills in Natural Resources

Indicator: NRESci Academy

Method: State meetings at different state parks

Timeline: September-August


Long-term Outcome: Youth will engage in community projects related to natural resource conservation.

Indicator: 4-H members complete community service projects

Method: Natural Resources & Environmental Science (NRESci) Academy

Timeline: Ongoing

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Middle & High School Students

Project or Activity: 4-H NRESci Academy

Content or Curriculum: 4-H & UK Natural Resources Curriculum

Inputs: Staff, Industry Professionals, Specialists

Date: September – July


Audience: 4-H members

Project or Activity: Forestry Field Days, Win With Wood

Content or Curriculum: UK Forestry materials

Inputs: Staff, volunteers, specialists

Date: September – October


Audience: 4th & 5th grade classrooms

Project or Activity: Exploring Your Environment Science Days & Project WET History Days

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Exploring Your Environment, Electricity, Entomology, Aerospace, Project WET

Inputs: teachers, staff

Date: January – April


Audience: Elementary Classrooms

Project or Activity: Butterfly Life Cycles

Content or Curriculum: Butterfly WINGS

Inputs: teachers, staff

Date: April – May


Audience:4th Grade Classrooms

Project or Activity:4-H Leaf Collections

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Forestry

Inputs: teachers, staff

Date: August - October


Audience: Farmers

Project or Activity: Private Pesticide Applicator’s Certification

Content or Curriculum: Private Pesticide Applicator’s Certification

Inputs: Training Guides & Videos

Date: Spring


Audience: Farmers & Landowners

Project or Activity: Newsletters, Farm Visits, Social Media, Field Days, Meetings, Online Webinars 

Content or Curriculum: UK Forestry Publications, Exclusives 

Inputs: UK Specialists, Agents, NRCS, Division of Forestry, Carter Caves State Resort Park 

Date: January - December 


Audience: Beekeepers

Project or Activity: Little Sandy Beekeepers Association

Content or Curriculum: UK & KSU Beekeeping Publications

Inputs: Specialists, KDA, Agents 

Date: February - December 


Audience: Local Residents 

Project or Activity Hike & Learn 

Content or Curriculum: UK Publications, Field Guides 

Inputs: Specialists, Agents, US Army Corp of Engineers, KY State Parks 

Date: March - October  



Success Stories

Win With Wood

Author: Rebecca Hayes

Major Program: Natural Resources

Carter County took 8 youth to the Win With competition. There were 3 juniors and 4 seniors. Every youth from the county that participated received at least a blue ribbon in one or more categories. We had the 2nd and 3rd overall in the junior division, and 1st and 2nd overall in the senior division. 3 of the youth, it was their first Win With Wood and general forestry competition. The others had participated in at least one prior to this event. Everyone did better than they personally expected, a

Full Story

Forestry Field Day

Author: Rebecca Hayes

Major Program: Natural Resources

4-H Forestry Field DayUK Forestry and Natural ResourcesCarter Caves State Resort Park 4-H youth from Carter, Elliott, Fayette and Robertson counties attended the 4-H Forestry Field Day at Carter Caves State Resort Park, on October 20, 2022. The more than 25 youth had the opportunity to learn about Kentucky’s trees and forests as well as some of the skills that real-life foresters utilize everyday while on the job. The youth aged 9 to 13 (Juniors) and 14 to 18 (Seniors) years of age we

Full Story

Hike & Learn

Author: Rebecca Konopka

Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization

Hike & Learn

Grayson is known as “the heart of the parks” because of its proximity to three local state parks.     A local leader heard about other counties offering hiking clubs while attending the Kentucky Volunteer Forum several years ago.   After she approached the ANR Agent in 2020 about starting a hiking program in Carter County, the Hike & Learn series was created.   Due to the pandemic, programming did not start until 2021.   The ANR & 4-H Agents worked to

Full Story

Markers Assist with Tree Identification

Author: Rebecca Konopka

Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization

Markers Assist with Tree Identification

According to the Kentucky Energy & Environment Cabinet, Kentucky is second in the United States for the most diverse hardwood species mix.  Forty-eight percent or 12.4 million acres of Kentucky is forestland and eighty-eight percent of Kentucky's forestland is owned by private landowners.  The 2017 Census of Agriculture shows that 38% of the farmland in Carter County is woodlands.   Grayson is also known as the “heart of the parks” because of its close proximit

Full Story
Back to Plans for the County