By Kendra Wills

Land development that consumes productive farmland and natural areas has been identified as one of the most important environmental issues Michigan is facing. No matter where we live, the way we use our land affects where we live, work, play, and go to school. Our decisions about land use shape the well-being of our communities – now and in the future.

The responsible use of the land is a critical issue for everyone, but it’s especially important for young people to be equipped with effective land use decision-making tools as they move into their future. Through the new Junior Citizen Planner program, young people build these skills by exploring the science of managing land resources and providing areas for housing, roads, schools and businesses.

The Junior Citizen Planner program is an initiative of the MSU Extension Citizen Planner Program and two priority areas of Michigan 4-H Youth Development (Environmental and Outdoor Education and Citizenship, Leadership and Community Service). The program, which is currently being piloted, uses hands-on learning activities designed to help young people aged 7 to 11 (in third through fifth grades) develop citizenship, civic pride, and responsible and informed land use decision-making skills. It includes the This Land Is Your Land learning series that was developed through the MSU Extension United Growth for Kent County Project. The activities, which will be available on-line, can be used with youth in 4-H clubs, school classrooms, summer camps and other youth programs.

The activity lesson plans have been certified to meet the Michigan Curriculum Framework Content Standards and Benchmarks and to prepare students for MEAP testing. The materials connect with primary subject areas including social studies, geography, environmental science and land use planning, and land use technology.

Adults who are interested in using the program can include anyone who is interested in helping young people explore environmental and land use issues – current and past participants of the Citizen Planner program, 4-H volunteers, 4-H and other MSU Extension staff, and classroom teachers. One goal of the project is to involve adult Citizen Planner participants and alumni whenever possible as guest speakers and resource people. Since this group often includes elected officials, city planners, attorneys, engineers and others with experience in land use issues, their expertise can be an important resource for exploring these issues with young people.

For more information on the Citizen Planner program and the Junior Citizen Planner program, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/cplanner or contact Kendra Wills at (616) 336-3265 or willsk@msue.msu.edu.

Kendra Wills is a Land Use Extension educator in Kent County and project coordinator of Junior Citizen Planner.