Author: Raymond Cox
Planning Unit: Harlan County CES
Major Program: Natural Resources
Plan of Work: Utilizing, preserving and protecting Harlan County's Natural Resources
Outcome: Long-Term Outcome
Findings from the PRIDE campaign indicated students in Harlan County were unaware of the effects of pollution on the environment and ways of correcting the problem. Upon the recommendation of the 4-H and Extension Councils, the one day program with a couple of schools turned into a three day Environmental Camp targeting every 4th grader in Harlan County public and private schools. With the cooperation of the UK College of Agriculture Agents from Whitley County and Clay County, Department of Water Quality, Kentucky Division of Forestry, Environmental Protection Agency, and Department of Fish and Wildlife. Approximately 500 students, volunteers, presenters, and teachers attended the three day event at Martins Fork Lake. For the past 21 years, the Harlan County 4-H Environmental Camp has been a driving force in our district for counties establishing their own Environmental Camps. Students learned the impact of Martins Fork Lake for tourism, recreation and flood control. They were taught the importance of clean water and air, natural habitats for wildlife, soil conservation practices, farming techniques, forestry practices and a clean community. The students demonstrated the knowledge they gained by offering suggestions of practices they could engage to conserve natural resources and protect the environment. Follow up surveys indicated that 89 percent of students responded positively to improving the environment and using sound environmental practices learned in camp. Several teachers this year were former 4-Hers who attended Environmental Camp as 4th graders and were excited to bring their classes. Several teachers commented they had been coming for many years, and that this was the best one yet. All teachers were happy to see the event this year, as COVID circumstances cancelled last year's event.
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