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 Journey through field, forest, wetlands and urban areas to discover the wonders and mysteries of Michigan’s natural environment. Through their 4-H environmental and outdoor education projects young people will learn about the interconnection of people and nature. They’ll also develop respect and appreciation for and a sense of stewardship toward our natural resources. This 4-H programming area provides educational opportunities that help young people enjoy time outdoors and develop an understanding and appreciation of the environment through three core theme areas:
- Basic science and ecology
- Interrelationships and impacts
- Health, wellness and positive outdoor experiences
The 4-H EOE project areas described here incorporate these themes into their learning activities:
Games
Learning
Materials and Online Resources
Additional materials and resources are available within the 4-H EOE project areas listed above.
Awards, Career Preparation, Contests and Grant Opportunities
Training & Events
Games
 Visit the 4-H Enviro-Stew Fun and Games Web site to have some online fun playing:
- Michigan’s Least Wanted Species – This matching game features several species that have invaded Michigan’s natural environment. Play the game, then find out more about these “least wanted” plants, animals and insects.
- Matching Michigan – Find out where a few of Michigan’s many natural resources are concentrated.
- The Bug Collector – Assemble a virtual insect collection, then find out how you can create your own real collection.
 Go to the next level by trying out the Do, Reflect Apply activities for the "Michigan's Least Wanted Species," "Mapping Michigan" and "Bug Collector" online games.
Learning
Materials and Online Resources
Michigan 4-H Publications
A Guide for Creating an Effective 4-H Youth Conservation Council
The handbook is written primarily as a guide for organizing and running regional, county and local 4-H youth conservation councils. It highlights activities and ideas that have been used successfully with the statewide Michigan 4-H Youth Conservation Council (M4-HYCC). The guide is available online as a PDF, and the forms, worksheets and handouts are provided as Word files for customization.
Septic Educational Program To Instill Conservation (SEPTIC) (Adobe PDF format. Requires the free Adobe
Acrobat Reader, available from http://www.Adobe.com )
The Septic Educational Program To Instill Conservation (SEPTIC) educational materials include a set of activities created by young people aged 13 to 19 who were members of the 2004-05 Michigan 4-H Youth Conservation Council (M4-HYCC). The young people worked in partnership with adult M4-HYCC advisors and Michigan Department of Environmental Quality professionals to create fun, educational activities. The SEPTIC activities and information was designed or selected by youth for youth to enjoy learning about what septic systems are and how they function, why septic systems fail, how periodic maintenance can prevent septic system failures, and what effect failing septic systems have on groundwater. SEPTIC also includes information developed by Michigan State University Extension, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. (4-H Youth Development, Michigan State University Extension, http://web1.msue.msu.edu/cyf/youth/m4hycc.html, 2005)
.jpg) The Walk: Taking Your Youth Outdoors for Environmental Stewardship and Learning! (4H1593) – This guide provides a process for getting started in natural resources and environmental education. It is geared toward adults and teens interested in sharing the wonders of our natural heritage and natural resources, outdoor recreation, or environmental science and stewardship with youth, especially youth aged 8 to 13. It outlines a "Pathway to Success," a mentoring program that provides long-term, club-based learning activities for youth. (80 pages, Michigan 4-H, 2000)
This guide is available online below as a PDF (portable document format). You will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view it. The PDF is divided into sections for faster downloading.
Survey Your Community About Issues That Matter
Kids use an Eco-Survey to investigate and evaluate community members' attitudes about community issues.
MSU Extension Publications
The following items are available from your county MSU Extension office at http://www.msue.msu.edu/portal/default.cfm or the MSU Extension Educational Materials Distribution Center at http://web2.msue.msu.edu/bulletins/mainsearch.cfm Some are available below as PDFs (portable document format). You will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view them.
E0657 Michigan Venison (Adobe PDF format)
E0692 Managing Game Birds (Adobe PDF format)
E1554 Managing Michigan Ponds for Sport Fishing
E1776 My Bluegills Are Stunted, HELP! (Adobe PDF format)
E2028 Eating Great Lakes Fish (Adobe PDF format)
E2440 The Life of the Lakes: Past, Present & Future of the Great Lakes Fishery
E2447 The Life of the Lakes: Great Lakes Basin Poster
National 4-H Publications
The following publications are available from the National 4-H Curriculum System at http://www.4-hcurriculum.org/
Exploring Your Environment
Youth will enjoy the challenge and excitement of exploring the ecology, science and technology of the environment. The materials present basic ecological concepts to help develop scientific thinking and processing skills. Concepts include the four elements of life, connections among living things, and how all plants and animals are affected. The Group Activity Helper’s Guide includes useful information and activities for volunteers to plan, manage and teach an environmental education program and outdoor activities.
1 – Eco-Wonders (4HCCS BU-07704; grades 5 - 7)
2 – Eco-Adventures (4HCCS BU-07705; grades 8 - 10)
3 – Eco-Actions (4HCCS BU-07706 grades 11 -12)
Group Activity Helper’s Guide (4HCCS BU-07707)
Set of 4 (4HCCS PC-07708)
Fishing for Adventure
Let’s Go Fishing! This phrase will light up the eyes of youth and adults alike. The 4-H sportfishing materials will take you on a journey that includes the old time favorites of developing angling skills and creating fishing tackle, aquatic education and the dynamics of people and fish (angling, fisheries management and folkways). This comprehensive curriculum is designed to develop life skills while providing information and motivation to youth and adult audiences interested in sportfishing and aquatic resource stewardship. Grab a pole and start fishing!
1 – Take the Bait (4HCCS BU-07598; grades 3 - 5)
2 – Reel in the Fun (4HCCS BU-07599; grades 6 - 8)
3 – Cast into the Future (4HCCS BU-07600; grades 9 -12)
Group Activity Helper’s Guide (4HCCS BU-07601)
Set of 4 (4HCCS PC-07604)
Forestry
The new Forests of Fun curriculum opens the world of forests to youth. In Level 1, youth explore different types of trees and tree parts, characteristics of different forests, what forests need to grow and thrive and the different products people get from trees and forests. Youth take a closer look at the inner-workings of trees in Level 2 as they investigate forest change, learn about forest health concerns and discover the health benefits trees have on people. In Level 3, youth examine and distinguish different types of trees, look at forests on a global scale, learn to care for trees and explore how to conserve forests. The Group Activity Helper’s Guide includes useful forest information, group activities and practical tips for volunteers.
1 – Follow the Path (4HCCS BU-08038; grades 3 - 5)
2 – Reach for the Canopy (4HCCS BU-08039; grades 6 - 8)
3 – Explore the Deep Woods (4HCCS BU-08040; grades 8 -12)
Group Activity Helper’s Guide (4HCCS BU-08041)
Set of 4 (4HCCS PC-08042)
Outdoor Adventures Series
Planning a hiking adventure with family and friends is featured in Level 1. Youth determine what to take, pack a backpack, read topographic maps and practice trail etiquette. Youth discover the joys and challenges of living in an outdoor setting in Level 2 as they pitch a tent, plan a menu, cook outdoors and practice the principles of “Leave No Trace” camping techniques. Multi-day backpacking trips are featured in Level 3. Youth build on their previous outdoor experiences as they practice their leadership, planning and communications skills as they guide others. The Group Activity Helper’s Guide includes tips and important information that support the activities in the three youth guides and the role of the helper. Group activities focus on managing risks in the outdoors, planning and preparing to lead group trips, and several other experiential activities.
1 – Hiking Trails (4HCCS BU-08043; grades 3 - 5)
2 – Camping Adventures (4HCCS BU-08044; grades 6 - 8)
3 – Backpacking Expeditions (4HCCS BU-08045; grades 8 -12)
Group Activity Helper’s Guide (4HCCS BU-08046)
Set of 4 (4HCCS PC-08047)
Science Discovery Series
Whether you are a teacher, camp counselor, 4-H club leader or homeschool instructor, you will find the lessons in the Science Discovery Series are as much fun and interesting to teach as they are for youth to experience. Each lesson plan outlines subject matter and life skill objectives and contains materials needed, background information, a lesson outline containing detailed instructions, optional activity references and resources, glossary and an evaluation instrument. In Science Discovery 1, youth develop science skills as they explore whales, rocks and minerals, water quality, trees and recycling. In Science Discovery 2, they will explore weather, spiders, oceanography, trees and astronomy.
1 – Science Discovery 1 (4HCCS BU-07914; grades 3 - 6)
2 – Science Discovery 2 (4HCCS BU-07915; grades 4 -7)
Set of 2 (4HCCS BU-07916)
The following publication is available from the National 4-H Council at http://www.4-hmall.org/
Going Places, Making Choices
This set of curriculum challenges youth to understand the interdependency between economic, environmental, social, and political concerns through five units that cover the history of transportation, natural resources and energy use, global climate change, land use and personal mobility choices. Designed for grades 9 -12.
Going Places, Making Choices (GPMC1)
Other Resources
The organizations listed below may provide more information in this project area.
Center for Great Lakes Environmental Education
http://www.greatlakesed.org/
The Center for Great Lakes Environmental Education is an informational resource, which is designed to provide access to Great Lakes educational material and to identify and address teacher training needs.
Crime Solving Insects
NC 4-H Curriculum Shoppe: Environmental and Earth Education Items
Purchase online or download this PDF at http://www.nc4h.org/publications/curriculum/CSIfinal.pdf.
This is a hands-on lesson in which 4-H’ers evaluate evidence from four animal death scenarios. For each scenario, they are given a sample of simulated maggots that were collected from a fictional corpse and are asked to figure out the postmortem interval in which the insects developed and determine whether foul play was involved in the death. This exercise is adapted from a lesson used by college biology teachers.
Electronic Naturalist
http://www.enaturalist.org/
This site is a project of the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History. It presents weekly units on animals, plants and environmental issues that include a poster, in-depth information, an activity, definitions and access to a professional naturalist.
Emerald Ash Borer Eradication
http://www.emeraldashborer.info/
Get involved with the effort to wipe out the emerald ash borer! You and other Michigan 4-H’ers can help spread the word about the importance of not moving firewood from quarantined areas. You can also help others identify this invasive species and help identify infested ash trees.
Junior Citizen Planner
http://web1.msue.msu.edu/cplanner/jcp/jcp.htm
Junior Citizens Planner (JCP) is an innovative, youth land use education program to develop responsible and involved citizens by educating youth through fun, hands-on learning activities within their communities on land use issues.
Junior Forest Ranger Program
http://www.symbols.gov/jfr/index.shtml
Junior Forest Ranger (JFR ) uses U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service science and practices to encourage youth to enjoy and appreciate the outdoor experience. This program aims to motivate youth to explore the natural and cultural world and embrace their responsibility to it.
Kellogg Bird Sanctuary
http://www.kbs.msu.edu/birdsanctuary/
Kellogg Bird Sanctuary
3700 E. Gull Lake Dr.
Hickory Corners, MI 49600
Phone: 269-671-5117
The W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary is one of North America’s pioneer wildlife conservation centers. Come see the birds at the sanctuary year-round! There are swans, geese, ducks, birds of prey and upland birds.
Kids for Trees
http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/chf/pub/tree_kit/
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has produced a forestry learning program for students and teachers along with other classroom resources.
The Leopold Education Project (LEP)
http://www.lep.org
This
is an innovative, interdisciplinary, critical thinking, conservation and environmental education curriculum based on the classic writings of the renowned conservationist, Aldo Leopold. The Leopold Education Project teaches the public about humanity's ties to the natural environment in the effort to conserve and protect the earth's natural resources.
Michigan Alliance for Environmental & Outdoor Education
http://www.michiganenvironmentaled.org/
Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE) is a professional organization supporting and advancing environmental education in a variety of settings. At this site, learn of environmental education conferences, workshops, curriculum information and resources.
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Kids Page
http://www.michigan.gov/mikids
This site offers fun virtual outdoor activities for kids. The “Our Backyard” page, for example, offers games, activities and information on “dirt, bugs, lakes and more.”
Michigan Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Explorers Club http://www.outdoorexplorersclub.com/flash/OECKids/KidsMain.html
This site includes information for kids about learning and recreational opportunities related to Michigan’s natural environment. It includes online games, a stewardship message, a “wild jokes” page and other virtual outdoor activities for kids.
Michigan Envirothon
http://www.macd.org/envirothon.html
The Michigan Envirothon is a broad-based approach to teaching natural resource management, environmental stewardship and conservation concepts to Michigan high school students. The program emphasizes and encourages hands-on learning in the outdoors.
Michigan Forests Forever Teachers Guide
http://www.dsisd.k12.mi.us/mff
The Michigan Forests Forever Project is a three-piece suite of materials addressing forests and forestry in Michigan. The teacher's guide provides extensive background material, activities and curricula. It has six educational modules (pre-test information, tree basics, environment, products, recreation, and balance) and four support modules (welcome page, references, benchmark matrix, glossary, index, and credits).
Michigan Sea Grant Purple Loosestrife Project
http://www.miseagrant.umich.edu/pp/index.html
Visit the “Purple Pages” for curriculum and information about purple loosestrife, an invasive species that is crowding out native wetlands plants. The site includes lesson plans and activities for young people in grades K–12. Learn more about the PLP biological control project that is engaging Michigan citizens and young adults in the control of purple loosestrife using the plant's natural enemies.
Michigan Sea Grant Publication Office
http://www.miseagrant.umich.edu/education/index.html
Michigan Sea Grant education efforts focus on improving marine and aquatic science literacy through educational programs and standards-based curriculum content designed to increase awareness of Great Lakes issues, such as coastal habitat, fisheries and invasive species.
MY NASA DATA
http://mynasadata.larc.nasa.gov/
MY NASA DATA stands for “Mentoring and inquirY using NASA Data for Atmospheric and earth science for Teachers and Amateurs.” It is a project to enable K-12 teachers and students, as well as citizen scientists, to explore the large volumes of data that NASA collects about the Earth from space. Students use scientific inquiry and math skills as they access and display sample data sets of the Earth System.
NASA Students’ Cloud Observations On-line
http://asd-www.larc.nasa.gov/SCOOL/
Students’ Cloud Observations Online (S’COOL) is a project that involves school children in real science where they can provide measurements to assist in the validation of the Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES), a high priority scientific satellite instrument that is now orbiting the Earth. Children can also compare the surface- and space-based observations to learn more about clouds and climate.
Project FISH
http://www.projectfish.org
Project FISH (Friends Involved in Sportfishing Heritage) is a mentor-based sportfishing and aquatic resource education that offers training and facilitates partnerships for schools and community organizations to interest kids in the outdoors.
Project FLOW
http://www.miseagrant.umich.edu/flow/index.html
Project FLOW is a collection of fifteen lessons based on Great Lakes aquatic science with activities about fisheries and stewardship.
Project Learning Tree
http://www.michiganplt.org
http://www.plt.org/
This award-winning environmental education program is designed for teachers and other educators, parents and community leaders working with youth from preschool through twelfth grade. It uses hands-on activities that enhance student learning.
Project WET
(ttp://www.projectwet.org/
Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) is an interdisciplinary K-12 water education program. Facilitators throughout the state train educators on the project curriculum in six-hour workshops.
Project WILD
http://www.projectwild.org/
Project Wild is an interdisciplinary conservation education program emphasizing wildlife that is designed for K–12 educators. The program capitalizes on kids’ natural interest in wildlife by providing hands-on activities that enhance their learning in all subject and skill areas. Project Wild education materials are provided to educators through practical, interactive workshops and are designed to take the learner from awareness to responsible action. The Project WILD General Activity Guide and Project WILD Aquatic K-12 Activity Guide are available only to workshop participants, and are included in the workshop fee. Supplementary curriculum materials such as Taking ACTION: An Educator's Guide to Involving Students in Environmental Action Projects (75 pp., $6) can be obtained without attending a Project WILD workshop. Taking Action is designed to inspire ideas and provide models for conducting engaging, effective environmental projects. From adopting species to protecting habitats to saving energy and creating publications, this guide will help educators plan, implement, and evaluate environmental action projects. It includes a rationale for action, a step-by-step planning process, educational tips, and a bibliography and a resource list for more information. More than 30 sample projects from around the country provide a glimpse of how students have seen a need in their community and successfully worked together to implement change.
T.E.A.C.H. Great Lakes
http://www.great-lakes.net/teach/
T.E.A.C.H. Great Lakes features mini-lessons on many Great Lakes topics: environment, history and culture, geography, pollution, and careers and business. Geared for elementary through high school students, the modules are continually expanded and updated.
Team Tacklebox
http://www.teamtacklebox.com/teamtacklebox.com/index-1024.htm
This site contains interactive learning about fishing identification, boating safety, how to get started and much more.
Urban Connections Program
http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/urban_connections/
This is an urban outreach program of the USDA Forest Service that works with active urban community organizations to involve urban constituents in conservation education, community “greening” efforts and visiting national forests.
WET in the CITY
http://www.wetcity.org/
WET in the CITY is a national urban environmental education program of the Council for Environmental Education (CEE) that focuses on urban water issues, provides educator training, distributes K-12 curriculum, promotes water stewardship, establishes city-wide networks, encourages interdisciplinary learning and fosters problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
Wildlife & Natural History Q-Line
http://critterguy.museum.msu.edu/.
Ask experts questions on Michigan wildlife and natural history.
The WISE Project
http://www.mucc.org/ConservationCurricula.htm
The WISE (Waste Information Series for Education) Project is a K-12 environmental education curriculum focusing on solid waste and pollution prevention. Its goal is to affect behavioral change in students related to pollution prevention and resource recovery.
More information on other learning
materials available to support these activities can be found through the MSU
Bulletin Office.
Awards, Career Preparation, Contests & Grant Opportunities
Opportunities related to 4-H Environmental and Outdoor Education abound! For more information check the Awards, Career Preparation, Contests & Grant Opportunities web site frequently.
 Training & Events
For 4-H Environmental and Outdoor Education-related training and events check the 4-H EOE Training & Events Web site frequently.
For more upcoming training and events in Michigan 4-H, check the 4-H Volunteer Workshops web site, the MSU Extension Calendar and the 4-H Exploration Days web site.
Contact
Information
For more information on
how to get involved as a youth
or volunteer,
contact your county MSU Extension
office or:
Judy Ratkos,
Program Leader
4-H Youth Development
Michigan State University
160 Agriculture Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824-1039
USA
Phone: 517-432-7613
Email: ratkos@msu.edu
Copyright
© 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 Michigan State University
Last Updated: December 16, 2009
Last Reviewed: November 8, 2006
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