Youth Water Education
As part of the federal initiative to improve stewardship and management of water resources, Community & Environment directed several studies to investigate youth water education needs and to provide education models that others could use as a guide for developing locally appropriate resources.
Youth as Partners: A Cooperative Extension Service investment in community-based environmental education 1991–1998 summarizes initial efforts.
Specific initiatives include:
- COSEE Great Lakes
- Drinking Water: Protecting the Source
- Educating Young People About Water
- Federal Junior Duck Stamp program
- Give Water a Hand
- Holding onto the GREEN Zone
- USGS Earth Science Project
Just as important as the programs, partnerships and materials accessed or created through these initiatives has been the core set of beliefs guiding their development:
- Voluntary actions are a key to maintaining a quality environment;
- People are motivated when they understand how their choices improve their lives and communities;
- Environmental issues are best managed at the watershed or community level;
- Youth should be full and valued partners in local environmental problem-solving.
Why involve youth?
- Youth bring enthusiasm, energy and creativity;
- Youth grow as active citizens in the community;
- Youth develop a “sense of place” and learn to take responsibility for their own impact on the environment;
- Youth learn how to apply the process of problem-solving in their lives;
- Youth see how their environmental activities can lead to a career.
