4-H National Headquarters and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services present the 2009 Connecting Youth with Nature through Natural Resources Conservation Education Award

On March 18, 2009, officials from CSREES and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services (FWS) present the 2009 "Connecting Youth with Nature through Natural Resources Conservation Education Award" to the 4-H Great Lakes and Natural Resources Camp at Michigan State University. The 4-H Great Lakes and Natural Resources Camp, a 4-H Program of Distinction, is a statewide teen leadership and environmental stewardship program that provides pre-college instruction in coastal ecology, fisheries management, limnology, wildlife, forestry and wetlands. Experiential learning is also taking place through nature resource-based recreation and research-oriented field trips.

Teen leadership is fostered through formal evening programs and natural-resource themed group morale-building games. Evaluations, conducted since 1999 with more than 475 youth, document program achievement in increasing natural resources ecological knowledge and raising interest in wildlife and natural resources careers. This program is recognized for:

• Combining quality youth development opportunities with
• Promoting leadership in conservation;
• Fostering informed, responsible wildlife and fisheries management;
• Connecting youth and program leaders with nature and promoting physical activity in nature; and
• Partnering with state and federal natural resource agencies, conservation non-governmental organizations, and the conservation industry.

This is the 29 th interagency award of this nature. The 4-H Great Lakes and Natural Resources Camp will receive a $10,000 award at a reception March 18 in Arlington, Virginia at the 74 th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference. In addition to CSREES and FWS, the award program is supported by the Wildlife Management Institute, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, and the Boone and Crockett Club.