The very first goal of Environmental Education as determined by the Tblisis Declaration of 1977 is awareness. The goal states, “To help social groups and individuals acquire an awareness and sensitivity to the total environment and its allied problems.” The ideal setting for most people to acquire a better understanding for our environment is at a young age.

The Kentucky 4-H Program has offered a wide variety of educational programs through the years to assist with environment awareness.  In the 1980’s with the energy crisis, the 4-H Energy Project was introduced. The Barren County Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development developed a program to introduce the four 4-H Energy projects to Barren County youth through school based programs and the School Administration.  One retired principal and 4-H volunteer recently related the story about the impact of the 4-H Energy Project on her and her students.  While she was a Principal at two schools (over 1,000 students) over the past 20 years, she ask her faculty to use the final 15 minutes of each day for the students to recycle as an environmental education quote was presented each day. The students could often be seen cleaning the corridors and outside areas of their schools.  They developed a “Go Green Council” that helped monitor the schools appearance and recycling program. The volunteer also said “Each day since the initial 4-H In-service was presented (in the 1980’s), I go around our farm and neighborhood picking up trash and recycling. I could not ask the students and teachers to do something that I didn’t do!”

The Barren County 4-H Youth Development Program has continued its environmental stewardship programs through the years by collaborating with five other government agencies to present a program to sixth grade youth on Environmental Quality.  The Barren County 4-H Youth Development Agent presented a leader training session for ten teen leaders on water quality and water properties.  The teen volunteers and three adults established three stations for 430 sixth grade students for a hands-on experience.  The youth participated in water quality, adhesiveness, quantity, molecular makeup and magnetic properties.  These subject areas were obtained through the Project Wet and Project Food, Land and People curriculum. 

The youth were exposed to conservation practices, the basics of ecology and its importance in our world.  Through an evaluation, 98% of the youth stated that they had learned new water qualities and plan to better utilize our water source.  Teachers who attended with the students were very complimentary of the environmental awareness sessions.  Three of the teachers asked the students to make individual presentations in their classrooms as follow-up to the day’s activities. 

The teen volunteers were complimented on their presentation style and manner from the students and teachers.