4-H & Forestry Afterschool Clubs: A Collaboration to Foster

Abstract

Research indicates that youth who have direct experience in nature mentored by an adult are more likely to choose actions that benefit the environment as adults (Chawla, 2006). The University of Minnesota Extension’s 4-H and Forestry Afterschool program combined the 4-H structure and various forestry curricula to build environmental knowledge and foster stewardship attitudes and behaviors in third through fifth grade club members at three different schools across Minnesota. The program met the goal of involving students in science, a part of 4-H’s national Science, Engineering, and Technology (SET) initiative. It also addressed a need identified by professional forestry groups to interest youth in forestry 8 careers. Evaluation results revealed statistically significant changes in the measurement of knowledge, attitudes, behavior, and skills related to stewardship behavior. Correlation analysis showed support for building high quality youth development environments.