USDA ANNOUNCES FIRST YOUTH ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS WINNERS

Awards Program Funded by $50,000 Grant

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3, 2005—U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Chief Bruce Knight today announced the first NRCS Youth Environmental Awards being presented at the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents Annual Conference in Seattle, Wash. The awards are part of a $50,000 grant to promote conservation among 4-H youth and in state programs.

“We established these awards to create greater involvement in conservation by young people and to develop a life-long sense of environmental citizenship,” said Knight. “This is the first year in a long-term commitment with 4-H to provide opportunities for young people to have a strong and direct connection to natural resources while fostering conservation attitudes that carry out environmental stewardship throughout their lives.”

The awards recognize state programs that promote conservation in relationship to water, soil and/or atmospheric resources, grazing land and forestry or wildlife habitat. Programs must demonstrate scientific principles, leadership and youth-adult partnerships. Winning programs ultimately will help develop a knowledge base for national youth programs in science, engineering and technology. Each winner receives $7,500 to further promote and expand their program.

The first winners of the NRCS Youth Environmental Award are Michigan 4-H Youth Conservation Council; 4-H Wildlife Stewards, Multnomah County, Ore.; and South Carolina State 4-H Program, 4-H20 Pontoon Classroom, Clemson, S.C.

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conserve, maintain, and improve our natural resources and environment.

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