MSU Extension 4-H Environmental Camp Wins National Conservation Education Award
3/31/09
Contact: Michelle Lavra
517-432-1555, ext. 151
LANSING, Mich. -- Two Michigan teens accepted $10,000 and a national award honoring natural resources education on behalf of a program offered through Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) 4-H Youth Development. Eighteen-year-old Alex Lott of Ingham County and 19-year-old Lydia Vanderbilt of Wayne County accepted the 2009 Connecting Youth with Nature through Natural Resources Conservation Education Award on behalf of Michigan’s 4-H Great Lakes and Natural Resources Camp (GL&NRC). The award plaque and a $10,000 check were presented by 4-H National Headquarters and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service March 18 at the 74th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference in Arlington, Va.
Located near Lake Huron in Presque Isle, Mich., 4-H Great Lakes and Natural Resources Camp is a weeklong opportunity for participating teens to increase awareness of environmental problems, foster environmental stewardship and enhance involvement in local natural resources projects. Campers learn through hands-on natural resource-based recreation and research-oriented field trips. The program also helps teen develop leadership skills and self-confidence while introducing them to natural resource-related career options. GL&NRC became eligible for the national conservation award after being named a National 4-H Program of Distinction in 2008. Programs of Distinction reflect the highest quality 4-H youth development efforts in the nation.
“The 4-H Great Lakes and Natural Resources Camp combines quality youth development opportunities with hands-on natural resources and conservation learning experience,” said Colien Hefferan, administrator of the USDA Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES), 4-H’s parent organization. “The camps enliven youths’ interest in nature and stewardship while raising their interest in careers in wildlife and natural resources.”
Alex Lott is an eight-year 4-H member and served as a GL&NRC counselor for two years after attending as a participant for two years. Lott will represent Michigan at National Youth Science Camp in July and credits his participation in GL&NRC for helping him win the all-expense-paid trip to learn cutting-edge science for three weeks in West Virginia.
Lydia Vanderbilt is a five-year 4-H member and attended GL&NRC two years as a camper and one year as a counselor. She currently serves as a camp staff member. An MSU forestry major, Vanderbilt says she chose MSU and her major as a direct result of her experience at GL&NRC.
The Connecting Youth with Nature through Natural Resources Conservation Education Award was initiated in 1980. The Wildlife Management Institute, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and the Boone and Crockett Club also support the award program.
The 2009 Great Lakes and Natural Resources Camp is Aug. 2-8 and is open to teens aged 13 to 15. Participants do not have to be 4-H members to attend. For more information on Great Lakes and Natural Resources Camp, visit 4-H online at http://web1.msue.msu.edu/4h/glnrc.html. For more information about 4-H involvement as a youth member or a volunteer, call 1-888-MSUE-4MI (1-888-678-3464).
Michigan 4-H Youth Development, the state’s largest youth development program, is part of Michigan State University Extension, which applies the research and knowledge of the state’s land-grant university to help Michigan citizens manage life issues.
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Photo 1 http://av.anr.msu.edu/glnrc/GLNRC1.jpg
Cutline: 2009 Connecting Youth with Nature through Natural Resources Conservation Education Award ceremony, from left to right: Judy Ratkos, GL&NRC administrator; Tom Coon, MSU Extension director; Alex Lott, GL&NRC youth representative; Bob Patterson, volunteer GL&NRC co-director (Mecosta County); Lydia Vanderbilt, GL&NRC youth representative; Shari Dann, GL&NRC evaluator; Brandon Schroeder, GL&NRC program coordinator
Photo 2 http://av.anr.msu.edu/glnrc/GLNRC2.jpg
Cutline: MSU Extension director Tom Coon introduced 4-H teens Alex Lott (left) and Lydia Vanderbilt (right) as part of the 2009 Connecting Youth with Nature through Natural Resources Conservation Education Award ceremony.
