National 4-H selects OSU for honors

Parents, students, biologists volunteer to focus on youth development, outdoors

By: Nick Ngo

Posted: 4/4/08

It's all about the volunteers for the 4-H Wildlife Stewards program, a working program model that is being recognized for the 4-H Natural Resources Conservation Award.

The award was given to the 4-H Wildlife Stewards program on March 26. The award was presented by the national 4-H organization.

The 4-H Wildlife Stewards program is part of OSU Extension Services and is the first program to receive this award.

"This is a great example of how OSU is making a difference in communities across Oregon," said Roger Rennekamp, state 4-H program leader.

The award also comes with a $5,000 cash award.

"It was great. It was very rewarding for the whole program, all the volunteers and kids that's been participating," said Maureen Hosty, a 4-H youth faculty. "We were able to have two volunteers and youth go down to Phoenix, Ariz. to accept the award."

The award recognizes the hard work of the program.

"[The award is] recognition for what the program has done and mostly the volunteers - that's what it's all about," said Maggie Livesay, 4-H outreach agent.

The difference between 4-H Wildlife Stewards program and others is how it utilizes volunteers. Those who volunteer range from parents and students to retired biologists and community members.

"Some have a great background in science and some don't," Livesay said.

"They just want to give their time to kids and be connected with the outdoors."

Starting in 1996, the 4-H Wildlife Stewards program began looking at the environment and habitat and packaging them into an educational experience.

The program consists of 14,000 children and 60 schools across Oregon, focusing on youth development. Hosty said it establishes a strong development for children to convey new ideas, demonstrating changes in knowledge, behaviors and attitudes.

The program is an opportunity for young students to broaden their horizons, Rennekamp said.

"We believe it's a premiere way of helping young people understand their role with the world around them," Rennekamp said.

Volunteers, teachers and students in the program work on creating a learning environment outside the classroom.

"The program really helps teachers go beyond what they can normally do in the classroom by allowing volunteers to take students outside to learn about the environment," Rennekamp said.

To Rennekamp, it's all about the notion of children building outdoor classrooms and using them for themselves.

"It's important for kids," Rennekamp said. "If we're going to learn about the environment around us, it's important to be immersed in it."

Receiving the award and funding serves as a stepping stone to expansion of the program.

"We're looking at expanding this program into more areas," Hosty said. "We're hoping to expand our program nationally to take it beyond Oregon."

Rennekamp wants to expand the program to look at the sustainability of the planet and how to create a good environment for future generations.

"The award is just that, a stepping stone to broadening the future," Rennekamp said.

Hosty said they have thought about expanding the program for some time, but now they feel more prepared to do it.

"The funding we received from this group will help further develop our program and market it to other people in the country," Hosty said.

For the past decade, they have evaluated the model of the program and found that it works.

"We have a good program model that I believe other states can adopt for youths there," Rennekamp said.

Nick Ngo, staff writer
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231