4-H Delivers

4-H Youth Commission an Environmental Vision

The Issue

The management of growth, resources, and sustainability will greatly affect future generations.  4-H members, as conscientious citizens, are concerned about these issues. When youth get involved in their communities, they become educated about local issues and their voices are heard. Youth connected with their communities tend to develop into positive and caring adults.

What has 4-H Done?

El Dorado County 4-H partnered with the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors to create the El Dorado County Youth Commission. The goal of the commission is, “to develop and express the opinions, ideas, and vision of El Dorado County youth through their representatives communicating with local government.” In 2007, an Environmental, Parks and Recreation division of the Youth Commission was formed in response to the Angora Fire and was tasked with producing an environmental policy document, titled, “The Environmental Vision,” that represented the perspective of young people in the community.

The committee created a short survey for high school students and garnered around 600 responses. The questionnaire asked questions about parks, sidewalks, transportation, and recycling. The committee also met with local county experts in many fields. They held two successful workshops in order to receive more input from local youth.

The Payoff

“The Environmental Vision” covered transportation, construction, waste, energy, air and water quality, education, and agriculture issues. The main themes were sustainability, “green” technology, human impacts, and smart growth. It encouraged green building practices, energy efficiency, resource protection, recycling, and outreach. “The Environmental Vision” was presented by the Youth Commission to the Board of Supervisors in 2008 and unanimously passed after some revisions to include agriculture and the economy. The highly praised document will be used as a guide for El Dorado County policy.

“The El Dorado County Youth Commission Environmental Committee has worked diligently to bring environmental concerns to the eyes of youth throughout the community,” said Austin, the Youth Commission co-chair, “The green resolution is representative of youth collaboration and illustrates the power youth have in our community.”

Involvement in local government is a rewarding experience for all of the youth involved. Corey, the chairman of the Environmental Parks and Recreation committee, stated that throughout the entire process he, “learned more about myself than through any other experience.”

Author: Vanessa Zubkousky, State 4-H Office Student Assistant