Washington State University Extension

Snohomish County 4-H Natural Resources

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4-H Forestry and Natural Resources

Building Urban and Rural Communities through Youth Education

This program utilizes forestry and natural resource education as a means to achieve positive youth development. This program uses curriculum based on ecosystems management, climate change and conservation while working with youth and teachers on how to be stewards in their community. Our program utilizes the 4-H club model of youth and adult partnerships as well as offers enrichment through in-school and after-school programming.

Programs we offer:

4-H Club Programs
Additional Educational Opportunities

Club-Based Program

The Snohomish County 4-H Natural Resources Program is a club-based program that uses the Youth/Adult partnership model for youth development. This program runs programs in boating, hiking, marine sciences, salmon tours, wildlife identification, and national contests including the Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program. The 4-H Natural Resource Goals are:

1. To Encourage participation in natural resources and programs
2. To enhance development of self-confidence, character and personal growth.
3. To expose participants to lifelong activities related to environmental stewardship.
4. To strengthen families through participation in lifelong learning activities.
5. To promote the highest standards of safety, sportsmanship, and ethical behavior.
6. To promote active involvement with "hands-on" activities
7. To teach safe and responsible behaviors in all activities.

Requirements for joining:

1. Willingness to work under guidance of certified volunteer leaders.
2. Enrollment in 4-H and in specific discipline.
3. Willingness to make a commitment to safety, youth and personal responsibility and learning.

Non-Traditional Educational Opportunities

Our goal is to promote positive youth development by teaching life skills in the 4-H Essential Element areas of Belonging, Mastery, Independence, and Giving. We apply the Challenge model of Do, Reflect and Apply in our hands-on activities. By educating youth about their natural environment, studies show that this increases their understanding of not just science but other academic areas as well. Additionally, outdoor learning promotes healthier and more active lifestyles among our youth.

Our program focuses on at-risk youth in rural and urban setting while working to make linkages between the rural and urban youth. Our program is working towards more teacher-training so that our programs can reach further than we currently have the staff power to reach. Currently we focus our educational goals around forests, watersheds, wildlife, and climate change.

We have focused our programming to include public schools, homeschools, Snohomish County Family Support Centers, After-School Programs, Boys and Girls Clubs and other non-traditional venues.

Our Geographic Focus for 2007/2008

Darrington Arlington Edmonds Stanwood Granite Falls Sultan/Gold Bar Monroe

Forest and Salmon Stewards Programs Running 2008/2009

• Darrington Elementary and High School
• Darrington Family Support Center
• Stillaguamish Valley School (Arlington)
• Cedar Valley School (Lynnwood)
• Granite Falls Alternative High School
• Sultan and Gold Bar Boys and Girls Club along with Family Support Center
• Stanwood Family Support Center (in conjunction with ESL program)
• Monroe Boys and Girls Club

Summer Programs

TBA

Our Curriculum:

In-school and After-School Basics Forest Ecology and forest management (wildlife, trees, native plants, soils, water) Watersheds (salmon habitat and restoration of riparian and estuarine habitat) Project WET and PLT, 4-H National Curriculum Council, USDA, USFWS, NPS Focus on the Future Climate Change Curriculum

Restoration Partners:

1. Cascades Land Conservancy
2. Surface Water Management (Snohomish County)
3. Conservation District
4. Stillaguamish Tribe, Natural Resource Division
5. Stilly-Snohomish Fisheries Enhancement Task Force
6. Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group
7. Snohomish County Parks and Recreation
8. U.S. Forest Service
9. Department of Natural Resources
10. Adopt-A-Stream
11. U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Deliverables:

Inquiry-based science learning Enhanced ability to use scientific reasoning to make predictions, investigate and critically evaluate outcomes through reflection. Group Building Develop confidence in youth, particularly in under-privileged sectors of rural and urban areas Life Skills development around service, healthy lifestyles, stewardship, critical thinking and more. Job skills and job opportunities. Club formation issue or events-based programming. Contributions to local restoration projects that enhance local environment and community

Contact Information:

Gabrielle Roesch
600 128th Street
Everett, WA 98208
425-357-6011
gabrielle90@wsu.edu

Links:

Snohomish County Natural Resources
Carbon Masters
Forestry

News and Events

9/3/2008 – Join us for Climate Change: Global Connections and Sustainable Solutions Saturday, February 7th, 2009, 9:30-3:00.

7/23/2008 – Welcome to the new 4-H Natural Resources web page! This site is still a work in progress, so keep checking back as we add new content.

 

WSU Extension, Snohomish County, 600 128th Street SE, Everett, WA 98208, 425-338-2400