Extension
It Starts With Us
Practicing stewardship in Natural Resources
Practicing stewardship in Natural Resources
Comer & Hamilton
Agriculture
Camping
Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
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)
Most of Montgomery County lies in the Outer Bluegrass Region of central Kentucky. The eastern and southern edges of the county border the Eastern Kentucky Coal Field and contain a number of high knobs and ridges, many with elevations in excess of 1,200 feet. The area is well dissected and is drained by tributaries of the Kentucky and Licking Rivers. Both the highest and lowest points are situated in the southwestern part of the county. The highest elevation, 1,447 feet, is a point on Westbrook Mountain near the Montgomery-Powell County line. The lowest elevation, about 707 feet, is at the junction of Montgomery, Powell, and Clark Counties where Copperas Creek leaves the county (McGrain and Currens, 1978).
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 choices affect our environment, we can conserve natural resources and protect our environment for present and future generate
Best-management practices by land-owners, farmers, residents, etc. are crucial toward good stewardship of our resources. Best management practices (BMPs) can preserve our natural resources and prolong their benefits to all.
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).
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.
Youth will be environmentally literate.
Youth will make informed decisions and take responsible action regarding natural resources conservation, protection, and restoration.
Reduce environmental impact to water, soil, or air.
Protect and improve water quality.
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.
Adopt conservation practices appropriate to farming operation.
Adopt appropriate manure handling practices
Maintain vegetative buffers along water bodies
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.
Understand importance of clean water.
Recognize best management practices for soil conservation.
All farmers using Restricted-Use Pesticides will be formally trained and follow guidelines.
Outcome:
- Youth plan and implement a natural resource project (e.g., entomology project, forestry project, etc.).
Indicator:
- Youth complete a natural resource project.
- Method of Evaluation/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 question “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 question “Is 4-H a place where you have a chance to be a leader?” (SEEC)
Timeline: FY'2024-25
*Initial Outcome: Agricultural Producers and Homeowners are introduced to the importance of clean water, best management practices for soil conservation and proper pesticide application and handling.
Indicator: Number of Agricultural Producers and Homeowners introduced environmental stewardship practices
Method: Recommendations given, Water Quality Plans developed and Pesticide Trainings attended
Timeline: FY'FY'2024-25
Intermediate Outcome: Agricultural Producers and Homeowners understanding and recognizing importance of clean water, best management practices for soil conservation and proper pesticide application and handling.
Indicator: Number of Agricultural Producers and Homeowners adopting environmental stewardship practices
Timeline: FY'FY'2024-25
Long-term Outcome: Reduced environmental impact to water, soil, or air and and improved water quality.
Indicator: Numbers attending Pesticide Trainings, Developing Water Quality Plans and Conservation Practices.
Method: Observation and Evaluation
Timeline: FY'FY'2024-25
Audience: Youth ages 9-18
- 4-H Entomology
- Curriculum: 4-H Teaming with Insects Levels 1, 2, 3, and Facilitator’s Guide; 4-H Entomology State Fair Resources; 4-H Project Butterfly Project
- Date: Annually September through August
- 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
- Date: Annually September through August
- 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
- Date: Annually September through August
- 4-H Shooting Sports
- Curriculum: Shooting Sports Curricula
- Training: Certified Volunteer Training; Agent In-services
- Date: Annually September through August
- 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
- Date: Annually September through August
Audience: 4th grade youth
Project or Activity: Overnight Environmental Camp
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Natural Resources, 4-H Entomology, 4-H Forestry, Water Awareness publications, etc.
Inputs: Extension Staff time, funding, support; partnering organizations & agencies; camp staff support
Date: annually in October if schools choose to participate October 2023and Spring 2024
Audience: Montgomery County farmers
Project or Activity: Restricted-Use Pesticide Training
Content or Curriculum: State pesticide curriculum
Inputs: State staff, County Agent
Date: January-February, annually
Timeline: FY'FY'2024-25
