Harrison County CES

Title:

Protecting the Environment

MAP:

Natural Resources and the Environment

Agents Involved:

Jessica Barnes, Jessica Wells, Shannon Farrell, Shelley Meyer

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Water and Soil Quality and Conservation

Situation:

Residents are concerned about safety of local water supply from Licking River. County still has a few wells and cisterns that need better maintenance. Building and construction add to soil erosion. Land covered with concrete and black top create further run off. Citizens are becoming more aware of the "Green Conception”. Since 90% of all water humans consume is from ground water, our water must be protected. Most fresh water available to us is ground water (not from rivers and lake sources), therefore Harrison County needs to improve environmental quality by implementation of sound environmental practices.

Long-Term Outcomes:

- Improve landowner management of natural resources.

- Reduction of public health hazards related to use of agricultural pesticides. - Encourage the use of new and developing agriculture methods including the use of GPS - global positioning systems.

- Families are encouraged to recycle, reuse, and reduce, to improve the environment.

Improve environmental quality by use of sound environmental practices resulting in less soil erosion, improved quantity and quality of water.

Intermediate Outcomes:

- Properly dispose of unused farm pesticide, household chemicals and containers.

- Utilize personal safety equipment when using pesticides.

- Promote establishment of riparian buffer zones to reduce soil erosion and reduce flooding damage.

- Increase number of dead livestock pickup to protect air, surface water and ground water sources.

- Youth education opportunities for soils and water conservation protection, natural resources and environmental awareness.

- Practice recycling.

Initial Outcomes:

- Demonstrate to the public the possible hazards of pesticides, and other chemicals or compounds to water resources, human health, livestock, wildlife, and pets.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Youth display knowledge of proper conservation methods and environmental awareness.

Indicator: Youth apply conservation measures and environment practices in everyday lives

Method: involvement in camps, judging and 4-H projects

Timeline: All Year

Intermediate Outcome: Number of animals picked up by dead animal programs.

Indicator: New and returning participants, practices adopted

Method: Yearly report of number of dead animals picked up

Timeline: Year Round

Intermediate Outcome: Number of producers receiving pesticide certification

Indicator: New and returning participants

Method: Number of participants attending certification classes

Timeline: Year Round

Long-term Outcome: Number of people participating in recycling practices and projects

Indicator: New and returning participants, practices adopted.

Method: Observation, oral and written evaluations, adoption of practices, used oil collected, and pesticide containers returned.

Timeline: July and September

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Cynthiana/Harrison County community members

Project or Activity: Promoting city/county recycling program

Content or Curriculum: Reduce waste, recycle, reuse waste, used tire disposal, pesticide container disposal

Inputs: extension staff, Cynthiana city departments

Date: Year Round

Audience: Community members

Project or Activity: Extension Homemaker Environment & Safety Programs, FCS and Ag Newsletters

Content or Curriculum: recycling, timely educational materials

Inputs: FCS Homemaker Environment and Safety committee, Agents

Date: 8 times a year

Audience: 4-H members, community members

Project or Activity: Water Quality and Natural Resources Awareness

Content or Curriculum: Protect ground and surface water, 4-H Curriculum, Project Wet, Project Wild, Ground Water Model, Hinkston Creek Farmer Leadership Program, promote water conservation

Inputs: Agents, UK Extension Specialists, volunteers

Date: Year Round

Audience: community members, Homemakers, 4-H members

Project or Activity: Go Green Education

Content or Curriculum: Reduce, Recycle, Reuse, use of cloth carryout bags at point of purchase, and green cleaning. Use of environmentally friendly products in home construction and home furnishings.

Inputs: Extension agents, specialists, chamber of commerce

Date: Year round

Audience: Farmers, producers, homeowners

Project or Activity: Pesticide Certification Training, Agricultural and paint container collection

Content or Curriculum: Environmental protection training

Inputs: UK Extension Specialists, Partner with local pesticide dealers

Date: Year Round

Audience: Local farmers

Project or Activity: Dead Animal Disposal

Content or Curriculum: Sanitation, protect water resources, promote on-farm composting, cooperation with the county

Inputs: Countryside Industries

Date: Year Round

Audience: Land owners

Project or Activity: Wildlife Management and Control

Content or Curriculum: Personal and environmental protection. Reduced property and crop damage. Reduced interactions between population and unwanted wild animals, buzzards, coyotes, snakes and insects.

Inputs: UK Extension Specialists, Agents, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife

Date: Year Round

Audience: 4-H members

Project or Activity: UK 4-H/Harrison County Soil Conservation District Soils judging

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Soils Judging Project

Inputs: UK Extension Specialists, Harrison County Conservation District, volunteers

Date: April-Aug

Audience: 4-H members

Project or Activity: Summer 4-H Camps, 4-H Horse Camps, and Cloverbud Camp

Content or Curriculum: Safety, Environmental Resource Source, Recreation,.

Inputs: 4-H volunteers, paid staff,  

Date: June - July

Audience: Harrison County 4th and 5th Graders

Project or Activity: 4-H Environmental Camp

Content or Curriculum: Environmental Resource Source, Camp Intern Lessons

Inputs: 4-H volunteers, paid staff, KY State Parks and Recreation, KY 4-H Specialists

Date: Fall, Spring

Success Stories