4-H Delivers

Marin 4-H Naturalist Leader Project

The Issue

The Marin 4-H Naturalist Leader Project was created as an environmental education service-learning program in response to the National 4-H Council initiative for Science, Engineering and Technology (SET). With shared program goals for developing youth, providing service, and conserving natural resources, 4-H selected the Conservation Corps North Bay (CCNB) as the collaborating agency. The project was designed to be implemented over a two-year period, with the first year as a pilot to develop a framework for training CCNB AmeriCorps members as 4-H leaders. As environmental stewards, they are assigned to one of two summer programs, Project ReGeneration (for youth) or Restoration and Ecosystem Management (REM). As a result, the project enhances leader and youth development, knowledge, and skills with a naturalist content in a community-based setting. The first year pilot was supported by a Statewide 4-H Service-Learning grant and in-kind resources from UCCE and CCNB.

What has 4-H Done?

The pilot year for the project is near completion, with anticipation that the resources will be available for the second year. For the pilot, 4-H provided the educational framework, subject matter content, and many support materials. CCNB provided the volunteer leadership, in-kind resources for training and delivery, and the community-based program recipients. 4-H contributed youth development training as well as expert speakers for six topics: ecosystems & ecology, water & geology, plant diversity, bird diversity, wildlife diversity, and working landscapes. The foundation for the youth development component was the four training modules from the California 4-H Statewide 4-H Project Leader Digest. The SET approach for inquiry-based, experiential learning was reinforced by the modules. Twenty-two AmeriCorps 4-H leaders were trained, with the team divided for their respective assignments in the community. 4-H staff conducted an informal evaluation of the training through surveys from these 4-H leaders. With lessons learned from the pilot, the content of six topics will be strengthened, with the addition of two to four additional topics. Guest speakers are experts in their respective field of study, and continue to be partners with UCCE. In addition, focus interviews will be conducted by 4-H staff with the leaders to gain information for enhancing the second year of the project.

The Payoff

The pilot year of the project provided insight and information to help develop a recommended model for 4-H Naturalist leader development for delivery in multiple settings. Informal evaluation results from the AmeriCorps 4-H leaders indicate a highly effective framework upon which the project’s second year may build upon and expand. 170 diverse youth were served in Project ReGeneration, with additional community contacts through REM. The continuation of the project for its planned second year has been enthusiastically endorsed by CCNB staff and a formal evaluation is planned for the second year of the project. This project and its developing model will continue to be an essential outreach program in community service and social awareness for Marin County SET.

Authors: Jane Chin Young, Marin County 4-H Youth Development Adviser, and Janice Alexander, Marin County 4-H Special Projects