LaRue County CES

Title:

4-H Natural Resources

MAP:

Enhancing Life Skills and Fostering Youth & Family Development

Agents Involved:

Misty Wilmoth

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Agriculture & Natural Resources

Situation:

Kentucky Natural Resources Facts:

Kentucky’s natural resources play an important role in our state’s social, economic, and environmental well-being. 

• Kentucky has over 90,000 miles of rivers and streams, and 45 major lakes (KGS, 2014).
• Kentucky, famous for karst topography, has the longest known cave system in the world (NPS, 2020). Roughly 38% of the state has some karst features and 25% of the state has well-developed karst features (KGS, 2014). 
• Kentucky is 48% forested and is known as having one of the most diverse hardwood species mix in the nation. The economic contribution of Kentucky’s forest industry was over $13 billion in 2016 (KDF, 2019).
• Kentucky is home to numerous wildlife species, and has one of the most diverse fish and mussel populations in the U.S. and North America, respectively (KDFWR, 2013). 
• In 2016, Kentucky’s coal industry produced over 42 million tons of coal, and as a state ranked as the fourth highest coal producer in the U.S. (Bone, 2017). 

Situation:

Today’s youth spend less time outdoors than previous generations (Clemonts, 2004; Karsten, 2005; Carver et al., 2008) and are likely able to identify a Pokémon character more easily than a native plant or animal (Balmford et al., 2002). Every five years (since 1999) the Kentucky Environmental Education Council (KEEC) conducts a survey to assess Kentuckian’s environmental knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. According to KEEC’s 2015-2020 Environmental Education Master Plan (2015), “…the average Kentuckian is able to answer correctly slightly more than half of the environmental knowledge questions included on the survey. This result leaves ample room for improvement” (p 27). The Kentucky 4-H Youth Development Program strives to increase environmental literacy among youth in Kentucky. The KEEC (2018) defines environmental literacy as “…the ability to recognize the components of healthy natural and man-made systems and the actions necessary to maintain, restore, or improve them” (p. 4) and states that environmental education is a pathway to environmental literacy (KEEC, 2018). Kentucky Statute (KRS 157.905) defines environmental education as “…an education process dealing with the interrelationships among the natural world and its man-made surroundings; is experience-based; interdisciplinary in its approach; and is a continuous life-long process that provides the citizenry with the basic knowledge and skills necessary to individually and collectively encourage positive actions for achieving and maintaining a sustainable balance between man and the environment” (Kentucky Legislative Research Committee, 2020, p.1). Kentucky 4-H provides environmental education opportunities by engaging youth in hands-on, interdisciplinary educational experiences that foster an increased understanding and appreciation for natural resources and environmental sciences. Programs and projects are offered in the areas of environmental science, entomology, forestry and wood science, geology, soils, water, wildlife, and shooting sports.

Long-Term Outcomes:

• Youth will be environmentally literate.
• Youth will make informed decisions and take responsible action regarding natural resources conservation, protection, and restoration. 
• Youth will be advocates for environmental sustainability and stewardship.

Intermediate Outcomes:

• Youth will explain the importance and role of natural resources in daily life.
• Youth will adopt practices to conserve and protect natural resources. 
• Youth will utilize and practice life-skills in 4-H natural resources and environmental projects and clubs, and life situations. 

Initial Outcomes:

• Youth will gain knowledge and skills in environmental sciences and natural resources content. 
• Youth will gain an understanding of environmental sustainability and stewardship. 
• Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including decision-making, critical thinking, communications, record-keeping, wise use of resources, and leadership.

Evaluation:

• Outcome to be Evaluated
  • Youth plan and implement a natural resource project (e.g., entomology project, forestry project, etc.).
• Indicator of Success for Outcome
  • Youth complete a natural resource project.
• Method of Evaluation
  • 4-H Common Measures Experience Survey
  • Program Indicators
• Number of youth who demonstrated a skill that was learned or improved by participating in 4-H natural resource programming (PRACTICE)
• Number of youth who used the skills and knowledge learned in 4-H to conserve natural resources (PRACTICE)
• Number of youth who have gained an understanding of ecosystems in Kentucky (KOSA)
• Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #6 “Is 4-H A place where you get to figure out things for yourself?” (SEEC)
• Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #13 “Is 4-H a place where you have a chance to be a leader?” (SEEC)

Learning Opportunities:

Learning Opportunities/Programs

          -     4-H Canoe and Kayak Club monthly meetings focusing on natural resources.  Also plan outings to include hiking and canoeing or kayaking in the local and surrounding area.

          -     4-H Canoe and Kayak Club holds annual water safety day including instruction from the Dept of Fish and Wildlife.

          -     4-H Shooting Sports Club monthly meetings and practices held twice a month.  Led by certified volunteer coaches.  4-H Shooting Sports Camp is also offered in the spring.

          -     4-H Summer Camp with focus on natural resources.

          -     Summer Day Camps with focus on forestry, entomology, etc.

          -     4-H Members have the opportunity to participate in the State 4-H Forestry Field Day and learn about tree identification, compass and pacing, and tree measurement.  The event includes educational lessons followed by the contest.  4-H members also have the opportunity to participate in the Stream Team competition.

- Natural Resources Environmental Science Academy is offered to youth and includes state wide programs offered on a regular basis for the three year program followed by the opportunity to become an Ambassador.  LaRue County has two ambassadors and three participants currently in the program.

• 4-H Entomology 
  • Curriculum: 4-H Bee Ambassador Leader’s Guide; 4-H Teaming with Insects Levels 1, 2, 3, and Facilitator’s Guide; 4-H Entomology State Fair Resources; 4-H Project Butterfly WINGS Youth Guide and Facilitator’s Guide 
  • Training: Agent In-services 
• 4-H Environmental Science
  • Curriculum: 4-H Backyards and Beyond Club Leader Curriculum, Organizational Guide and Toolkit, and Explorers’ Journal; 4-H Exploring Your Environment Series; Leopold Education Project
  • Training: Agent In-services
• 4-H Forestry and Wood Science
  • Curriculum: 4-H Forestry Project Introducing Yourself to Trees; Kentucky’s Useful Forests; Kentucky 4-H Forestry Project Planting Trees; Project Learning Tree Environmental Education Guide
  • Training: Agent In-services
• 4-H Geology
  • Curriculum: 4-H Geology Series; 4-H Geology Project; Project Underground Curriculum 
  • Training: Agent In-services
• 4-H Shooting Sports
  • Curriculum: Shooting Sports Curricula 
  • Training: Certified Volunteer Training; Agent In-services 
• 4-H Water
  • Curriculum: Healthy Water, Healthy People Educator’s Guide and Field Monitoring Guide; Project WET Curriculum and Activity Guide; 4-H There’s No New Water; 4-H₂O Ambassador Curriculum 
  • Training: Agent In-services
• 4-H Wildlife
  • Curriculum: 4-H Fishing Series; 4-H Wildlife Science Series; 4-H Amphibians and You Leader’s Guide and Student Journal
  • Training: Agent In-services

References: 

Balmford, Andrew, L. Clegg, T. Coulson, and J. Taylor. (2002). Why Conservationists Should Heed Pokémon. The American Association for the Advancement of Science, 295 (5564): 2367. 

Bone, G. (2017). Kentucky Coals Facts. Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet. https://eec.ky.gov/Energy/Coal%20Facts%20%20Annual%20Editions/Kentucky%20Coal%20Facts%20-%2017th%20Edition%20(2017).pdf

Carver, Alison, A. Timperio, and D. Crawford. (2008). Playing it safe: The influence of neighbourhood safety on children’s physical activity – A review. Health and Place, 14: 217-227. 

Clemonts, Rhonda. (2004). An Investigation of the Status of Outdoor Play. Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood, 5 (1): 68-80.

Karsten, Lia. (2005). It All Used to be Better? Different Generations on Continuity and Change in Urban Children’s Daily Use of Space. Children’s Geographies, 3 (3):   275–290.

Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR). (2013). Kentucky's Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy. KDFWR. http://fw.ky.gov/WAP/Pages/Default.aspx 

Kentucky Division of Forestry (KDF). (2019). Forest Facts. KDF. https://eec.ky.gov/Natural-Resources/Forestry/Pages/Forest-Facts.aspx

Kentucky Environmental Education Council (KEEC). (2018). Kentucky Environmental Literacy Plan. KEEC. https://keec.ky.gov/Documents/KELP/Kentucky%20Environmental%20Literacy%20Plan%20-%20Revised%20June%202018.pdf

KEEC. (2015). 2015-2020 Environmental Education Master Plan. KEEC. https://keec.ky.gov/Publications/Pages/MasterPlan.aspx

Kentucky Geological Survey (KGS). (2014). Water Factsheet. Kentucky Geological Survey. https://www.uky.edu/KGS/education/factsheet/factsheet_water.pdf

Kentucky Legislative Research Committee. (2020). Kentucky Revised Statues. Kentucky Legislative Research Committee. https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=3391

National Park Service (NPS). (2020). Mammoth Cave: A Grand, Gloomy, and Peculiar Place. NPS. https://www.nps.gov/maca/index.htm