The 4-H Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (NRESci) Academy is a three-year program designed to teach middle-school age youth about their natural environment. In 2011, the Academy began as a pilot 4-H program with 18 scholars from eight eastern counties. As of 2018, the Academy has grown to a statewide 4-H program with 65 scholars and ambassadors from 20 counties.

The main objectives of the program are that participants, referred to as scholars and ambassadors, will 

• Have a greater understanding of natural resources and environmental sciences in Kentucky,
• Develop life-long learning skills based on observation, evaluation, and action,
• Be exposed to and receive early encouragement and interest in post-secondary education, and 
• Make a connection between environmental sciences and career opportunities in the state.

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, 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, 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.  

At the 2018 Fall Retreat, 31 first year scholars completed a pre- and post-test which focused on watershed and water quality related content, and 22 second year scholars completed a pre- and post-test which focused on forestry related information (Table 1). 

Table 1. 

Fifty-nine scholars completed a Likert scale evaluation at the end of the 2018 retreat. Results included:

• Fifty-nine scholars “strongly agreed” or “agreed” that they learned a new skill related to water, forestry, or wildlife. 
• Fifty-five scholars “strongly agreed” or “agreed” that they were more confident in their leadership abilities. 
• Fifty-eight “strongly agreed” or “agreed” that they had a greater understanding of natural resources and environmental sciences in Kentucky.
• Fifty-seven scholars “strongly agreed” or “agreed” that they had a greater understanding of career opportunities in natural resources and environmental sciences. 
• Twenty-two scholars indicated that because of the NRESci Academy they would like to pursue a career in natural resources, and 32 scholars indicated that because of the NRESci Academy they might be interested in pursuing a career in natural resources. 

The Academy will continue to evolve, and modifications will be made in order to meet the ever-changing needs of the scholars.