For the first time the Magoffin County 4-H program has a representative in the 4-H Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences Academy (NRESci). This three-year program is designed to teach middle and high school aged youth about their natural environment. The overall goal of the program is for youth to develop a greater understanding of natural resources and environmental sciences in Kentucky while increasing leadership skills.

 The learning outcomes for the NRESci academy are that scholars will:
 •Have a greater understanding of natural resources and environmental sciences in Kentucky
 •Gain an appreciation of Kentucky’s natural resources while developing leadership skills
 •Develop life-long learning skills based on observation, actions and evaluation
 •Engage in activities that reinforce the concept of three-dimensional learning as specified in the Next Generation Science Standards
 •Be introduced to careers in natural resources and environmental sciences

 Each year of the 3-year program, scholars concentrate on a different core area (water, forestry, wildlife) and interact with professionals in each of these disciplines.

 Magoffin County’s scholar is completing his first year in the program. First year scholars focus on water resources, and participate in hands-on, investigative activities to learn about watersheds, water quality, best management practices, and Kentucky’s water resources. The H2O to Go Water Assessment Activity, in addition to several other activities from the 4-H2O Ambassador Program curricula and Project WET were adapted and used to engage and educate youth. In addition, experts from across the state speak with youth on topics such as Kentucky mussel conservation, fracking, and urban storm water issues.  Youth attended an overnight orientation at Lake Cumberland 4-H Camp where they learned about swamps, wetlands, cave water systems, and water quality. They met at a fish hatchery and attended an informational session with a Morehead State University ecologist. One of the final meetings was located at Pine Mountain Settlement School where youth conducted a stream study and learned about the water purification system used at the school.

The Magoffin County participant has highly enjoyed the program this year and is already looking forward to his forestry and wildlife focused years. For those youth already interested in the Environmental and Natural Resources Sciences this is a vital program, especially in the eastern part of our state where opportunities such as these are limited.