Washington State University Extension

Snohomish County 4-H Natural Resources

4-H Forestry and Natural Resources


4H Natural Resources Images


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

Image of girl kayaking

Additional Educational Opportunities

Image of two girls participating in a natural resources program



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


Image of WSU Extension Forester Kevin Zobrist showing a student how to measure the age of a treeOur 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
Image of 4-H participants in a logging competition at the Evergreen State Fair


Forest and Salmon Stewards Programs Running 2008/2009




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
Image of students measuring the age of a tree


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
survey of forest


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.

7/23/2008Welcome 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