Protecting, Preserving, and Promoting our Natural Resources
Environmental and Natural Resources Education
Lacy May and Courtney Jenkins
Natural Resources 4-H Core Curriculum
Natural Resources 4-H Core Curriculum
Youth Forestry and Natural Resource Education
Wildlife Habitat and Damage Management Education
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's important that we care for and respect these resources. Understanding how our daily chores affect our environment, we can conserve natural resources and protect our environment for present and future generations. Several Extension Councils have recognized the importance of educating both youth and adults about environmental preservation and conservation.
* Youth will use scientific techniques, responsible practices, and innovative technologies that will positively sustain the natural resources in the home, community, and world.
* Youth will engage in community projects related to natural resource conservation.
*Adults will make informed decisions when managing wildlife populations and woodlands.
* Youth will make decisions in their daily lives that positively impact natural resources.
*Youth will adopt practices to conserve and protect the environment in their home and community.
* Youth will use problem solving and logical reasoning skill and apply them to environmental issues.
*Adults will recognize and adopt practices for properly managing wildlife and woodlands.
* Youth will develop an interest in environmental sciences and sustainable practices and technologies.
* Youth will gain knowledge of the interrelationship and interdependencies with an ecosystem.
*Youth will identify the natural resources that are used within their home and community.
*Adults will develop an understanding of the importance of properly managing wildlife and maintaining woodlands.
Initial Outcome: Youth and adults will develop an interest in environmental sciences and sustainable practices and technologies.
Indicator: Number of youth and adults involved in natural resources education programming.
Method: School enrichment, Extension programming
Timeline: Ongoing
Intermediate Outcome: Youth and adults will adopt practices to conserve and protect the environment in their home and community.
Indicator: Program and workshop participation.
Method: Program participation, completed projects
Timeline: Ongoing
Long-term Outcome: Youth will engage in community service projects related to natural resource conservation and adults will begin implementing proper practices for managing wildlife and woodlands.
Indicator: Number of youth and adults who have made changes to better protect, preserve, and promote natural resources.
Method: Club meetings, surveys, observation.
Timeline: Ongoing
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Winter Bird Feeding
Content or Curriculum: Hands-on
Inputs: Staff and Volunteers
Date: Fall 2016 - Winter 2017
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Youth
Content or Curriculum: Global Positioning Systems
Inputs: Staff, Volunteers, and Teachers
Date: Throughout year
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Forestry Field Days
Content or Curriculum: Introducing Yourself to Trees, Kentucky's Useful Forests
Inputs: Staff and Volunteers
Date: Fall
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Outdoor Adventures Club
Content or Curriculum: Camping, Backpacking
Inputs: Staff and Volunteers
Date: Summer 2017
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Entomology
Content or Curriculum: Teaming with Insects, Project Butterfly WINGS Youth Guide
Inputs: Staff and Teachers
Date: Throughout year
Audience: Youth and Adults
Project or Activity: Blue Bird Nesting Boxes
Content or Curriculum: Hands-on workshops
Inputs: Staff and Volunteers
Date: Spring
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Managing Wildlife when Keeping Bees
Content or Curriculum: CES Publications, KDFWR Publications & Resources
Inputs: UK CES Agents, KDFWR Wildlife Biologists
Date: Spring
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Master Logger
Content or Curriculum: UK Master Logger Curriculum & Forestry/Woodland Owners Publications
Inputs: UK CES Agents, UK CES Specialists, Foresters, and Landowners
Date: Fall
Author: Lacy May
Major Program: Natural Resources 4-H Core Curriculum
Today's youth are more likely to be found indoors focused on a form of technology rather than outdoors learning about their environment. The Magoffin County Cooperative Extension Service realizes the importance of learning about natural sciences through hands-on activities. During late summer and early fall multiple meetings are held for youth to come learn about the forestry industry and the science behind the trees in their backyards. Participants also attend Forestry Field Days hosted by
Author: Courtney Jenkins
Major Program: Forestry Industry Education
The timber industry is one of the largest industries in East KY. However, poor forest management throughout the years has left behind poortrees that are no longer commercial quality. Removing small-diameter timber isessential for allowing larger, healthier trees room to grow, but there are few,if any, markets for small-diameter hardwoods. Therefore, the Magoffin CountyCooperative Extension Service is working with local farmers to assist them inutilizing this timber in a way that diversifies the
Author: Lacy May
Major Program: Natural Resources 4-H Core Curriculum
For the first time the Magoffin County 4-H program has a representative in the 4-H Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences Academy (NRESci). This three-year program is designed to teach middle and high school aged youth about their natural environment. The overall goal of the program is for youth to develop a greater understanding of natural resources and environmental sciences in Kentucky while increasing leadership skills. The learning outcomes for the NRESci academy are that scholar