Extension
It Starts With Us
Forestry
Sustainability
V. Harper, M. Chadwick
Forestry Industry Education
Natural Resources 4-H Core Curriculum
Urban Environments (water issues)
Natural Resources 4-H Core Curriculum
In this time of economic recession land owners are seeking to maximize the profit received from their land. There is an increased interest in ways to increase profits from non-tillable land. Land owners desire knowledge in practices such forest management, hunting lease rights, and trespass laws. In addition, youth throughout the county also have a renewed interest forestry, natural resources, and land management.
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 choices affect our environment, we can conserve natural resources and protect our environment for
present and future generations.
-Producers and landowners will establish sustainable woodlot and forest practices to develop healthy and profitable envronments.
-Youth will utilize knowledge gained in the natural resources curriculum to aid in decision making.
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.
-Producers and landowners will install woodlot BMPs on their farm or operation
-Urban lot owners will plant native shade trees to aid in the creation of continual green belts and spaces.
-Youth will use the knowledge gained in natural resources curriculum to teach other about the environment.
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.
-Producers and Landowners, will understand the benefits of erosion control and using the proper techniques to manage their forest land.
-Individuals of the community will understand the impact poor decisions can have on the environment and its sustainability.
-Youth will understand the value of their environment
Youth will develop an interest in environmental sciences and sustainable practices and technologies
- Youth will gain knowledge of the interrelationship and inter dependencies with an ecosystem.
- Youth will identify the natural resources that are used within their home and community.
Initial Outcome: Individuals of the community will understand the impact poor decisions can have on the environment and its sustainability.
Indicator:Program Participation
Method: Number of participants in environmental education programs
Timeline: 2016-2017
Intermediate Outcome:Urban lot owners will plant native shade trees to aid in the creation of continual green belts and spaces.
Indicator: Increased interest in planting
Method: Survey and one on one conversations
Timeline: 2017-2018
Long-term Outcome: Producers and landowners will establish sustainable woodlot and forest practices to develop healthy and profitable environments.
Indicator:Visual improvement to woodlots at all stages
Method: Visual observation and one on one conversations
Timeline: 2018-2020
Number of youth who use their skills to conserve natural resources.
? Number of youth who can identify the natural resources in their community.
? Number of youth who have gained an understanding of the ecosystems in nature.
? Number of your who have engaged in a community project related to natural resource conservation.
Number of youth reporting an interest in natural resource camps
? Number of youth reporting participation in community service related to environment and
sustainable projects
? Number of youth showing an interest in participating on a Natural Resource Teen Board
? Number of entries for 4-H YD in Natural Resources projects that increased at State Fair
Audience: Landowners and woodland managers
Project or Activity: Small Farms Series
Content or Curriculum: Supplied by agents and specialists
Inputs: Office staff will coordinate events along with University of Kentucky Specialist, Kentucky Department of Agriculture staff, Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources, Conservation Service, along with community leaders and other speakers from other land grant universities.
Date: 2017-2018
Audience: 4-H Youth
Source: National 4-H Supply Service
N4-HSS 08440 $5.50
Teaming with Insects, Level 2
Shows you how to make insect collection tools and expands on the basic concepts of biodiversity, invasive
species, integrated pest management, and forensic entomology. (56 pages) Intended user: youth in grades
6-8
Source: National 4-H Supply Service
N4-HSS 08441 $5.95
Teaming with Insects, Level 3
Delves even deeper into the basic concepts and encourages you to take control of your learning by doing
your own research using the scientific method and reference materials. (36 pages) Intended user: youth in
grades 9-12
Source: National 4-H Supply Service
N4-HSS 08443 $5.50
Teaming with Insects Facilitators Guide
Welcome to the 4-H Entomology project! As a project facilitator you will work with youth interested in
learning about insects. The Facilitator’s Guide provides helpful information on exploring insect study, the
contribution of insects to biodiversity, how to manage pests, invasive species, and forensic entomology. The
activities are designed so youth have an opportunity to “learn by doing” with your help and guidance.
Intended user: volunteer working with group of youth
N4-HSS 08443 $5.95
Entomology Curriculum Guide for 4-H in the Classroom
This information is helpful to classroom teachers. KERA goals have been identified for a variety of learning
activities related to entomology. The specific learning activities listed as part of the KY 4-H Core Curriculum
are outlined in the following publications so purchase or access to the these publications is necessary:
Creepy Crawlies; Project WILD; The Web of Insects; Dragons, House, and Other Flies; Project WILD Aquatic;
KY Water Watch Biological Assessment; The Pillbug Project; Berlese Funnel Sampling; Sweep Net Sampling;
Termite Trails; What’s Bugging You?; Insect Sampling Comparison; Insect Observation Among Habitats.
Intended user: classroom teacher or volunteer leading a group of youth in a classroom setting
Source: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service;
http://www.uky.edu/Agriculture/CritterFiles/casefile/4Hent/4Hcurriculum.pdf. See website for how to
acquire the publications listed here.
Website Download
4-H Entomology Resources: State Fair
Kentucky 4-H Entomologists, Extension Agents, and adult leaders should visit the 4-H Entomology Resources
page for information about Entomology Kentucky State Fair project books and the Kentucky 4-H Entomology
Curriculum. (www2.ca.uky.edu/entomology/dept/youth.asp) This document compiles and supplements the
insect collection guidelines that previously appeared in 4-H Entomology Project: Unit 1 (Pub. 4DC-01PA)
and 4-H Entomology Project: Unit 2 (Pub. 4DC-02PA).
Entomology website Download at: 4-H Entomology Resources
Project Butterfly WINGS Youth Guide: (Grades 4-8)
Youth explore butterfly habitats, learn how to identify common butterflies, become a citizen scientist and
contribute data as they enter their findings on the website. Youth create investigations to answer questions
or solve problems and share their findings with others. Intended user: youth in grades 4-8
Source: National 4-H Supply Service
N4-HSS 08392 $7.95
Project Butterfly WINGS – Facilitator’s Guide
Provides supplemental information and tips for facilitating the Youth Project activities, including in-depth
answers to questions. Engaging group activities are provided for each chapter and can be adapted to 4-H
project groups, clubs, after-school programs, camps or other youth groups. Intended user: volunteer
working with group of youth
Source: National 4-H Supply Service
NA-HSS 08393 $7.95
Set of 2 08394 $14.95
College of Agriculture, Food and Environment
Horticulture website K-12 Teach Resources (www.uky.edu/hort/)
Environment:
Exploring Your Environment (grades 6-8)
This environmental science curriculum focuses on water conservation, energy use, climate change, recycling,
natural resources stewardship and air quality.
Exploring Your Environment: Ecosystems Services
Youth will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on activities that focus on how living and non-living
organisms interact within the ecosystem and provide benefits for humans and other living beings. (56 pages)
Intended user: youth in grades 6-8
Source: National 4-H Supply Service
N4-HSS 08410 $6.95
Exploring Your Environment: Earth’s Capacity
Focusing on environmental stewardship, youth will learn scientific research techniques, responsible
practices and innovative technologies that positively address environmental issues such as air and water
quality, land use, carrying capacity, product life cycle, and ecological sustainability. (64 pages) Intended
user: youth in grades 6-8
Source: National 4-H Supply Service
N4-HSS 08411 $6.95
Exploring Your Environment: Facilitator’s Guide
The Facilitator’s Guide will provide training, supplemental activities and resources to ensure the high quality
delivery of the curriculum to individual youth and groups of young people. (68 pages) Intended user: adults
working with group of youth in grades 6-8
Source: National 4-H Supply Service
N4-HSS 08412 $6.95
SET of 308413 $19.95
Project Food, Land & People Resources
This instructor’s guide is a collection of 55 lesson plans for use in non-formal and formal education settings.
FLP promotes approaches to learning which help people better understand the interrelationships among
agriculture, the environment, and people of the world. The second edition includes resources not found in
the original edition. (950 pages) Intended user: volunteers working with a group of youth in grades K-12
Source: KY Department of Agriculture. To obtain the FLP materials, one can attend a 6 hour workshop. For
information, call 502-564-4696.
KY Dept of Ag FLP About $30 at wksp
Forestry:
State Contact: Dr. Terry Conners
Introducing Yourself to Trees
In this project, youth will learn about forests and their importance, the parts of a tree, types of trees, and
leaves. Youth will be involved in several hands-on activities such as making a leaf collection, making leaf
prints and designing an educational display. In some counties, these products may be entered in the fair.
(12 pages)
Intended user: youth ages 9-18
Source: KY Cooperative Extension; Download at http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/4df/4df01pb/4df01pb.pdf
(Link)
KY CES 4DF-01PB Download*
Kentucky’s Useful Forests
Youth learn about the logging industry in Kentucky. The project book outlines 33 hands-on activities for
youth to complete. (26 pages) Intended user: youth in grades 4-12
Source: KY Cooperative Extension; Download at http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/4df/4df02pa/4df02pa.pdf
(Link)
KY CES 4DF-02PA Download*
Kentucky 4-H Forestry Project Planting Trees
In this 4-H tree-planting project you can learn: • the kinds of trees to plant in Kentucky, • the types of soils
various trees prefer, • when to plant trees, • how to plant trees, • how to care for planted trees.
Source: KY Cooperative Extension; Download at http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/4df/4df02pa/4df02pa.pdf
(Link)
KY CES 4DF-03PC Download*
Project Learning Tree Environmental Education Activity Guide
Project Learning Tree (PLT) is an award-winning, nationally known, broad-based environmental education
curriculum for Pre-K through grade 12 aged youth. PLT is an activity guide that helps youth learn HOW to
think, rather than WHAT to think about the environment. The activities cover topics ranging from forests,
wildlife, and water to community planning, waste management, and energy. (402 pages) Additional issuespecific
high school booklets are available. Intended user: volunteers working with youth in grades K-12
Source: Kentucky Association for Environmental Education, http://kaee.org/. For more information about
PLT in Kentucky, please contact Ashley Hoffman at director@kaee.org. To use the PLT materials, one must
attend a 6 hour workshop.
College of Agriculture, Food and Environment
Youth Opportunities in Forestry Education: www2.ca.uky.edu/forestryextension/publications_youthed.php
Geology:
Geology Project
Youth learn about rocks, minerals, and fossils. They perform tests to identify rocks. Youth collect rocks to
make a rock collection. (28 pages) Intended user: youth ages 9-18
Source: KY Cooperative Extension; Download at
http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/4db/4db01po/4db01po.pdf
KY CES 4DB-01PO Download*
Soils:
State Contact: Dr. David Ditsch
Soils Curriculum Guide for 4-H in the Classroom
This information is helpful to classroom teachers. KERA goals have been identified for a variety of learning
activities related to soils. The specific learning activities listed as part of the KY 4-H Core Curriculum are
outlined in the following publications so purchase or access to these publications will be necessary: Project
Food, Land and People; Project Learning Tree; WOW! The Wonders of Wetlands; and Dig-In! Hands-On Soil
Investigations. Intended user: classroom teacher or volunteer leading a group of youth in a classroom
setting
4-H Land Judging in Kentucky
Source: KY Cooperative Extension; Download at PDF/Adobe Acrobat: 930 kb
KY CES 4BA-08MH Download
Land Judging Score Card
Source: KY Cooperative Extension; Download at PDF/Adobe Acrobat: 149 kb
KY CES 4BA-09SE Download
Water:
Contact: Ashley Osborne
Healthy Water, Healthy People Water Quality Educator’s Guide
The Healthy Water, Healthy People Program offers innovative, easy-to-use materials designed to make
complex water quality concepts understandable and relevant for youth and those teaching youth. The
HWHP Educator’s Guide contains 25 activities covering diverse water quality topics. (200 pages). Intended
users: volunteers working with groups of youth in grades 6-12
Source: www.healthywater.org; order on-line at this address.
Web HPWP-1 $25.00
Healthy Water, Healthy People Field Monitoring Guide
This technical reference manual yields information about ten water quality parameters. The parameters
include pH, dissolved oxygen, bacteria, hardness, temperature, etc. This manual is the layman’s tool for
determining the “whys, hows, and interpreting the results” of testing water. This guide breaks down the
technical information so that volunteers can conduct water testing with youth and help them understand
the reasons and results of why water is tested. (100 pages). Intended users: volunteers working with groups
of youth in grades 6-12
Source: www.healthywater.org; order on-line at this address.
Web HPWP-2 $7.95
Project WET Curriculum and Activity Guide 2.0
Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) is a nationally and internationally used environmental
education curriculum with activities that are interdisciplinary, hands-on, easy to use, and fun. The activities
are designed to provide volunteers with ways to engage learners in many aspects of water in our
environment. (616 pages) Intended users: volunteers working with a group of youth in grades K-12
Source: Kentucky Division of Water. To obtain the Project WET guide, one must attend a 6 hour workshop.
To register for the workshop, contact Michelle Shane, contact information can be found at
http://water.ky.gov/ProjectWet/Pages/default.aspx. .
KDOW PW-1 $ Price dependent on workshop fee
There’s No New Water! Grades 9-12
This water conservation and water quality curriculum is grounded in a simple yet powerful concept that
water is a finite natural resource whose quantity and quality must be responsibly preserved, protected,
used, and reused. The curriculum includes six sequential learning modules and is intended for delivery in
out-of-school group settings to be facilitated by an adult. (155 pages) Intended user: agents, volunteers.
Source: National 4-H Supply Service. http://www.4-h.org/resource-library/curriculum/4-h-theres-no-newwater/
N4-HSS 08420 $16.00
4-H H2O Ambassador Curricula
The Southern Region 4-H2O Ambassador Program addresses key concepts related to watershed education.
The program is part of an ongoing effort to educate and empower youth to conserve and protect water
resources. This project is funded by the Southern Region Water Education Network USDA-NIFA 406 grant.
The curriculum was originally developed for ages 9-13, but it can be adapted for any age level. To become a
4-H2O Ambassador youth must complete Units 1-4, which includes developing and implementing a
community based service project. However, lessons in the curriculum can be used individually in classroom
settings, clubs, environmental camps, etc. to educate youth in water. Contact Ashley Osborne at
Ashley.osborne@uky.edu for additional information. Intended user: youth ages 9-13.
Source: KY Cooperative Extension; Download at: http://dept.ca.uky.edu/enri/4H2O.htm
KCES 4DE-01po—Unit 1 What is a Watershed? Download at no
charge
KCES 4DE-02po—Unit 2 What is Water Quality Download at no
charge
KCES 4DE-03po—Unit 3 What Impacts the Water Quality in My Watershed Download at no
charge
KCES 4DE-04po—Unit 4 Improving My Water Quality Download at no
charge
Kentucky Water Awareness Month (celebrated in May)
The program promotes overall water awareness for the citizens of Kentucky. Resources from 2000 to
present can be found online at http://www.ca.uky.edu/enri/kwam.php. Individual county staffs are
encouraged to tailor the program to fit their county's needs, and use the materials to enhance their program
efforts. Contact Ashley Osborne, ashley.osborne@uky.edu.
Wind Energy:
Are you looking for something to spark engineering and science interest among middle school kids? The
activities in The Power of the Wind curriculum involve young people in the engineering design process as they
learn about the wind and its uses. Youth work with members of a team to design, create, build, and test a
wind powered device. The device must solve a problem and requires the designers to balance options and
constraints. Participants are guided to make adjustments and retest until the vehicle or machine solves the
original problem. Grades 6-8.
The Power of Wind – Facilitator Guide
This is the Facilitator Guide for the National 4-H Wind Energy Curriculum. Additional youth notebooks are
available for purchase separately, for use with a group. Each youth should have his or her own engineering
notebook. May be adapted for younger and older youth
Source: National 4-H Supply Service
NA-HSS 08384 $5.50
The Power of the Wind Youth Guide
Source: National 4-H Supply Service
NA-HSS 08383 $5.50
The Power of the Wind Set of 2
This is a Set of 2 (one youth notebook, one facilitator guide) for the National 4-H Wind Energy
Curriculum. Each youth in a group should have his or her own notebook.
Set of 2 08385 $9.65
Wildlife:
Project WILD K-12 Curriculum and Activity Guide
Project WILD is a nationally known environmental education curriculum that emphasizes developing
awareness, knowledge, skills, and commitment toward making informed decisions, responsible behavior,
and constructive actions concerning wildlife and the environment. The guide is a collection of activities that
focus on the study of wildlife. (526 pages). Intended users: volunteers working with youth in grades K-12
Source: KY Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Resources. One must attend a 6 hour workshop to obtain the guide. To
register for a workshop, contact Jay Webb at 1-800-858-1549.
KDFW WILD Available at workshop
Wildlife Curriculum Guide for 4-H in the Classroom
This information is helpful to classroom teachers. KERA goals have been identified for a variety of learning
activities related to wildlife. The specific learning activities listed as part of the KY 4-H Core Curriculum are
outlined in the following publications so purchase or access to the these publications is necessary: Project
WILD, Project Learning Tree, Project WILD Aquatic, and Hands-On Herpetology, and Schoolyard Habitat
Guide. Intended user: classroom teacher or volunteer leading a group of youth in a classroom setting
Activity: State and National Forestry Competition Training
Content or Curriculum: National Forestry Competition
Inputs: Faculty, Staff, County funding and volunteers
Date: 2018 program year
Audience: 4-H Youth
Activities: Area, State and National Horticulture Land Judging Competition Training
Content or Curriculum: New Land Judging Manuals and materials as well as Horticulture training materials
Inputs: Faculty, Staff, County funding and trained volunteers
Date: 2018
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Newspaper and Newsletter articles
Content or Curriculum: Forestry/Natural Resource based information
Inputs: Kentucky CES Publications, eXtension Resources, Newsletters
Date: All year
