The 4-H Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (NRESci) Academy is a three-year program designed to teach middle- and high- school age youth about their natural environment. Offered in eastern Kentucky since 2011, the inaugural statewide cohort of 54 youth from 15 counties began in September 2017. 

The overall goals of the Academy are that graduates of the program will: (1) have a greater understanding of natural resources and environmental sciences in Kentucky while developing leadership skills and (2) be introduced to academic programs and careers in natural resources and environmental sciences.

The Academy meets quarterly each year. Scholars attend a three-day residential retreat at Lake Cumberland 4-H Educational Center in September and participate in three 1-day events held in winter, spring, and summer. At the retreat, scholars engage in a variety of field exercises, including chemical, biological, and physical water quality assessment, tree identification, forest measurement data collection, wildlife observation and trapping, and insect collection and identification. During the 1-day events, scholars visit natural areas throughout the Commonwealth, such as Salato Wildlife Education Center, Minor E. Clark Fish Hatchery, Kentucky State University Research Farm, and UK’s Robinson Forest. These events provide an opportunity for scholars to interact with professionals in different areas of natural resources (e.g., wildlife biology, soil science, hydrology, forestry, entomology) and in different venues (e.g., research and educational forest, environmental education center, fish hatchery, research farm, cave system). In addition, scholars are required to plan and complete a community service project during their first year of the program. 

Scholars who graduate from the Academy in good standing can apply to be a NRESci Ambassador. The NRESci Ambassador Program is a 1-year commitment that provides graduates an opportunity to practice what they learned in the Academy while further developing leadership skills. NRESci Ambassadors attend the NRESci Fall Retreat, 4-H Teen Conference, and 4-H Teen Summit, at which they assist natural resource professionals and facilitate activities for youth.  

A program evaluation using a Likert-type scale was given after the Fall Retreat in September 2017. As a result of participating in the academy, 96% of youth strongly agreed or agreed that they were more confident in their leadership abilities, 96% of youth strongly agreed or agreed that they have a greater understanding of natural resources and environmental sciences in Kentucky, and 92% of youth strongly agreed or agreed have a greater understanding of career opportunities in natural resources and environmental sciences.