MILWAUKEE, March 25, 2010 – The 4-H National Headquarters and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service presented the 2010 Connecting Youth with Nature through Natural Resources Conservation Education Award to the Washington State University Extension’s 4-H Eco-Stewardship Program today at the 75th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference being held in Wisconsin.

The 4-H Eco-Stewardship Program engages high-risk and low-income students in Chelan County, Wash., in “outdoor classrooms” through innovative school-based and summer programs. Youth work directly with natural resource professionals, completing service-learning projects benefiting local watersheds and fish and wildlife habitats. The program connects youth with nature while developing critical life skills and supporting academic and career choices in natural resources management. This nationally recognized program successfully provides young people the skills they need to become self-directing, positive, contributing members of society.

“The Fish and Wildlife Service is proud to recognize the efforts of outstanding programs with the 2010 Connecting Youth with Nature Award. Working directly with natural resource professionals on projects benefitting local watersheds and fish and wildlife habitats, the 4-H Eco—Stewardship Program provides valuable skills and opens doors to academic and career choices in natural resources management, ” said Rowan Gould, Acting Director of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

4-H National Headquarters recently recognized the 4-H Eco-Stewardship Program as a Program of Distinction, which is required for consideration for the annual interagency conservation award. Programs of Distinction reflect the highest quality 4-H youth development programs found in communities across the United States.

The award program was initiated in 1980 to recognize 4-H volunteer leaders from across the country who assist youth in learning about wildlife and fisheries conservation and management. The Wildlife Management Institute, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and the Boone and Crockett Club also support the award program.