Success StoryKentucky 4-H Natural Resources Program



Kentucky 4-H Natural Resources Program

Author: Ashley Osborne

Planning Unit: 4-H Central Operations

Major Program: Natural Resources 4-H Core Curriculum

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

Kentucky’s natural resources play an important role in our state’s social, economic, and environmental well-being. 

  • Kentucky has over 91,000 miles of rivers and streams, and is said to have more navigable miles of water than any other state but Alaska (KGS, 2014).
  • Kentucky is famous for karst topography, with roughly 38% of the state having at least some karst development recognizable on topographic maps, and 25% of the state having 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. Kentucky’s forestry industries contribute over $12 billion of revenue to our economy and employ over 51,000 Kentuckians (KDF, 2016).
  • Kentucky is the third largest coal mining state. In 2015, the Kentucky coal industry employed over 9,500 individuals, produced 61.4 million tons of coal, and contributed billions of dollars to Kentucky’s economy (KEEC, 2016).

The Kentucky 4-H Natural Resources Program engages 4-H members in a variety of hands-on activities and experiences that foster an increased understanding and appreciation for Kentucky's natural resources. Projects and activities are offered in the areas of environmental science, entomology, forestry, geology, soils, water, and wildlife. For FY2018 (July 2017 – June 2018):       

  • 3,337 youth have used their skills to conserve natural resources.
  • 3,574 youth can identify the natural resources in their community.
  • 3,549 youth have gained an understanding of the ecosystems in nature.     
  • 1,597 youth have engaged in a community project related to natural resource conservation. 

State and county 4-H programs range from nature clubs to environmental camps to community service projects. 

  • The Garrard County 4-H Youth Development Agent and Garrard County FFA Advisor collaborated to start and sustain an Envirothon Team. Envirothon, which originated as “Environmental Olympics” in 1979 in Pennsylvania, is an environmental education program in North American. Envirothon’s mission is to “…develop knowledgeable skilled and dedicated citizens who have an understanding of natural resources and are willing and prepared to work towards achieving and maintaining a balance between the quality of life and the quality of the environment” (NCF-Envirthon, 2018). 
  • The Grant County 4-H Youth Development Program partnered with local schools, businesses, and organizations to collect over 6,300 pounds of plastic lids, detergent caps, and medicine bottles. The collected items were then recycled into plastic benches and placed at local schools and businesses. 
  • Several county 4-H programs host environmental education (EE) camps that offer a variety of hands-on educational experiences. Examples of classes are stream study to investigate water quality, wildlife to learn about native Kentucky wildlife species, nature hike to explore Kentucky’s tree species, and birding to learn about adaptations of birds, key characteristics to identify birds, and birds native to Kentucky. The Clark County 4-H Youth Development Program provided this opportunity to every 4th grade student in their county. Youth learned from and interacted with professionals from Clark County Parks and Recreation, Clark County Geographic Information System, University of Kentucky, US Department of Forestry, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Kentucky Division of Water. Of the youth participants, 34% indicated they had never explored a stream before EE camp, 50% stated they could now identify sources of pollution and activities that affect watersheds, 75% said they could now identify at least eight Kentucky mammals and at least six mammal tracks, and 16% indicated that they were interested in a natural resources career.  
  • 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. 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. 


References: 

Envirothon Webpage. 2018. NCF-Envirothon. Accessible online at https://www.envirothon.org/. 

Kentucky Coal Facts (16th Edition). 2016. Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet. Accessible online at http://energy.ky.gov/Coal%20Facts%20Library/Kentucky%20Coal%20Facts%20-%2016th%20Edition%20(2016).pdf. 

Kentucky’s Forest Facts Webpage. 2016. Kentucky Division of Forestry. Accessible online at http://forestry.ky.gov/Pages/Kentuckys%27ForestFacts.aspx. 

Water Factsheet. 2014. Kentucky Geological Survey. Accessible online at https://www.uky.edu/KGS/education/factsheet_water.pdf.