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

• Kentucky has over 90,000 miles of rivers and streams, and 45 major lakes (KGS, 2014).
• Kentucky, famous for karst topography, has the longest known cave system in the world (NPS, 2020). Roughly 38% of the state has some karst features and 25% of the state has 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. The economic contribution of Kentucky’s forest industry was over $13 billion in 2016 (KDF, 2019).
• Kentucky is home to numerous wildlife species, and has one of the most diverse fish and mussel populations in the U.S. and North America, respectively (KDFWR, 2013). 
• In 2016, Kentucky’s coal industry produced over 42 million tons of coal, and as a state ranked as the fourth highest coal producer in the U.S. (Bone, 2017). 

Today’s youth spend less time outdoors than previous generations (Clemonts, 2004; Karsten, 2005; Carver et al., 2008) and are likely able to identify a Pokémon character more easily than a native plant or animal (Balmford et al., 2002). Every five years (since 1999) the Kentucky Environmental Education Council (KEEC) conducts a survey to assess Kentuckian’s environmental knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. According to KEEC’s 2015-2020 Environmental Education Master Plan (2015), “…the average Kentuckian is able to answer correctly slightly more than half of the environmental knowledge questions included on the survey. This result leaves ample room for improvement” (p 27). The Kentucky 4-H Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (NRESci) Academy strives to increase environmental literacy among youth in Kentucky. The Academy began in 2011 as a pilot program with 18 scholars from eight eastern counties. As of 2019, the Academy has grown to a statewide program with 68 scholars and ambassadors from 20 counties.

The main objectives of the Academy 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 take part in a service project. Examples of projects scholars participated in this year included invasive plant removal, trash cleanup, growing and giving away garden produce, tree planting, and educational field day events.

*This year, due to COVID-19, the Spring event was cancelled and the Summer event will be held virtually.

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**.  

**This year, due to COVID-19, 4-H Teen Conference and 4-H Teen Summit were cancelled.

Sixty scholars completed a Likert scale evaluation at the end of the 2019 retreat. Results included:

• Sixty scholars “strongly agreed” or “agreed” that they learned a new skill related to water, forestry, or wildlife. 
• Fifty-nine scholars “strongly agreed” or “agreed” that they had a greater understanding of natural resources and environmental sciences in Kentucky.
• Fifty-six “strongly agreed” or “agreed” that they had a greater understanding of career opportunities in natural resources and environmental sciences.
• Seventeen “definitely” and twenty-eight “quite-likely” would like to pursue a career in natural resources because of NRESci.  

References: 

Balmford, Andrew, L. Clegg, T., and J. Taylor. (2002). Why Conservationists Should Heed Pokémon. The American Association for the Advancement of Science, 295 (5564): 2367. 

Bone, G. (2017). Kentucky Coals Facts. Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet. https://eec.ky.gov/Energy/Coal%20Facts%20%20Annual%20Editions/Kentucky%20Coal%20Facts%20-%2017th%20Edition%20(2017).pdf

Carver, Alison, A. Timperio, and D. Crawford. (2008). Playing it safe: The influence of neighbourhood safety on children’s physical activity – A review. Health and Place, 14: 217-227. 

Clemonts, Rhonda. (2004). An Investigation of the Status of Outdoor Play. Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood, 5 (1): 68-80.

Karsten, Lia. (2005). It All Used to be Better? Different Generations on Continuity and Change in Urban Children’s Daily Use of Space. Children’s Geographies, 3 (3):  275–290.

Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR). (2013). Kentucky's Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy. KDFWR. http://fw.ky.gov/WAP/Pages/Default.aspx 

Kentucky Division of Forestry (KDF). (2019). Forest Facts. KDF. https://eec.ky.gov/Natural-Resources/Forestry/Pages/Forest-Facts.aspx

KEEC. (2015). 2015-2020 Environmental Education Master Plan. KEEC. https://keec.ky.gov/Publications/Pages/MasterPlan.aspx

Kentucky Geological Survey (KGS). (2014). Water Factsheet. Kentucky Geological Survey. https://www.uky.edu/KGS/education/factsheet/factsheet_water.pdf

National Park Service (NPS). (2020). Mammoth Cave: A Grand, Gloomy, and Peculiar Place. NPS. https://www.nps.gov/maca/index.htm