4-H Teens Present Environmental Solutions to Legislature

4/25/08

Contact:  Michelle Lavra
517-432-1555, ext. 156

LANSING, Mich. -- Teens from the Michigan 4-H Youth Conservation Council (M4-HYCC) testified on April 23 before a joint session of the Michigan Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs and the Michigan House Committee of Great Lakes and Environment. The 15-member council presented ideas for reducing the environmental consequences of phosphorus pollution from lawn fertilizers and detergents along with possible options for funding their ideas. The presentation was the result of more than five months of research.

Four M4-HYCC members are from the Lansing area: Katelyn Burns, from Haslett, in Ingham County; Heather Hammond, Bath, Clinton County; Bob Cermak, Grand Ledge, Eaton County; and Joe Dodd, Howell, Livingston County. The adviser for this group is Darren Bagley, Genesee County MSU Extension 4-H educator.

Ideas suggested by the council for reducing phosphorus pollution included:

**  Point-of-sale brochures encouraging voluntary reduction of phosphate-containing fertilizers.
**  More public information about organizations that promote soil testing and fertilizer management.
**  The use of community-based rain gardens and buffer strips to promote and educate the public on phosphate-free alternatives.

Sen. Patricia Birkholz (24th district) chairs the Senate committee, and Rebekah Warren (53rd district) chairs the House committee. Members from both committees listened intently and asked relevant questions during the presentation.

“The teens had a well thought out proposal for us. Obviously, it was well researched. We are proud of their leadership on this issue,” Birkholz said.

Andrea Grix, Left to right: Katelyn Burns, Ingham County; Darren Bagley, Genesee County MSU Extension 4-H Educator; Bob Cermak, Eaton Country; Senator Patricia Burkholz, chair of the Michigan Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs; Heather Hammond, Clinton County; Senator Ray Basham, minority vice-chair of the Michigan Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs; and Joe Dodd, Livingston County. M4-HYCC program coordinator, says the M4-HYCC, founded in 1998, provides a youth voice in state government and helps identify real solutions to Michigan conservation issues.  Participating teens have an interest in conservation, state government and leadership, and are selected through an application process. 

In past years, M4-HYCC testimony helped create the Michigan Heritage Water Trail program and led to the introduction of a bill that would improve marine fueling techniques and reduce environmental problems associated with marine fuel spills. The M4-HYCC has received numerous awards over the years, including the 2005 Natural Resources Conservation Service Youth Environment Award, the 2004 Sea World/Busch Gardens/Fujifilm Environmental Excellence Award and the 2003 Michigan Senate White Pine Award for Environmental Excellence.

M4-HYCC is a part of Michigan State University Extension. For additional information about the council, visit http://web1.msue.msu.edu/cyf/youth/m4hycc.html.
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