Youth Wetlands Education and Outreach Program Training Future Leaders to Save America’s Treasure

Goals of the Youth Wetlands Education and Outreach Program To instill within students the complexities and consequences of continued unprecedented loss of wetlands on the citizens of Louisiana, To instill in students that they are ambassadors for responsible environmental stewardship of Louisiana’s natural resources, and To encourage forward thinking, that results in positive actions, in demonstrating that “Louisiana’s wetland loss is the nation’s wetland loss.” To instill within students the complexities and consequences of continued unprecedented loss of wetlands on the citizens of Louisiana, To instill in students that they are ambassadors for responsible environmental stewardship of Louisiana’s natural resources, and To encourage forward thinking, that results in positive actions, in demonstrating that “Louisiana’s wetland loss is the nation’s wetland loss.”

Objectives of the Youth Wetlands Education and Outreach Program Develop hands-on environmental based lesson plans for grades 4-12 Provide opportunities for service-learning wetland restoration activities Provide field-based, hands-on experiences to youth during organized restoration projects held across the state and during participation in overnight camps Conduct trainings for educators and provide in- classroom and field assistance that results in successful program implementation Develop hands-on environmental based lesson plans for grades 4-12 Provide opportunities for service-learning wetland restoration activities Provide field-based, hands-on experiences to youth during organized restoration projects held across the state and during participation in overnight camps Conduct trainings for educators and provide in- classroom and field assistance that results in successful program implementation

Program Enrollment 2007 – 2009 Year 1: –22,000 students in 45 parishes Years 2 & 3: –Averaged 52,000 in 55 parishes –Averaged 1000 teachers teachers 55,000 students in 58 parishes teachers 80,000 students in 58 parishes teachers 71,000 students in 59 parishes 2007 – 2009 Year 1: –22,000 students in 45 parishes Years 2 & 3: –Averaged 52,000 in 55 parishes –Averaged 1000 teachers teachers 55,000 students in 58 parishes teachers 80,000 students in 58 parishes teachers 71,000 students in 59 parishes

Classroom Materials Curriculum Binder –General wetlands information –All lessons for 4 th – 12 th grades –Updated every year –GLE table Curriculum Binder –General wetlands information –All lessons for 4 th – 12 th grades –Updated every year –GLE table Educational supplies –Classroom materials –Laboratory supplies –Field materials –Educational videos –“Wet Work” video Educational supplies –Classroom materials –Laboratory supplies –Field materials –Educational videos –“Wet Work” video

Classroom Enrichment

Vegetative Plantings

Service Projects

Summer Camps

Educational Outreach

Program Recognition USDA National Program of Distinction 2011 USFWS Connecting Youth with Natural Resources Conservation Education National Promising Practices Guide for Science in Urban Communities (2011) 2011 CRCL Coastal Stewardship Award Wet Work Video Program: –2011 Southeast Regional Winner (NAE4-HA) –2011 National Winner (NAE4-HA) –2010 Governor’s Conservation Award USDA National Program of Distinction 2011 USFWS Connecting Youth with Natural Resources Conservation Education National Promising Practices Guide for Science in Urban Communities (2011) 2011 CRCL Coastal Stewardship Award Wet Work Video Program: –2011 Southeast Regional Winner (NAE4-HA) –2011 National Winner (NAE4-HA) –2010 Governor’s Conservation Award

Youth Wetlands Program Timeline DateActivity August Online registration opens for the Youth Wetlands Program October Registration closes February Youth Wetlands materials delivered to agents March Distribution of Youth Wetlands Program supplies to teachers April 23 – 27 Youth Wetlands Week 2012 Throughout Program Year Organize wetland restoration field trips, educational booths, and activity days across the state

Partners and Sponsors Louisiana OCPR Louisiana DNR Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program (BTNEP) Louisiana State University (LSU) College of Education LSU School of Plant, Soil, and Environmental Science (SPESS) Louisiana Sea Grant College Program Ponchartrain Institute for Environmental Sciences Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service (CSREES) Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, Restoration Act (CWPPRA) Entergy LaBranche Wetland Watchers Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana Louisiana OCPR Louisiana DNR Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program (BTNEP) Louisiana State University (LSU) College of Education LSU School of Plant, Soil, and Environmental Science (SPESS) Louisiana Sea Grant College Program Ponchartrain Institute for Environmental Sciences Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service (CSREES) Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, Restoration Act (CWPPRA) Entergy LaBranche Wetland Watchers Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana

Additional Information Find us on Facebook: Youth Wetlands Education and Outreach Program Ashley Mullens YW Program Manager Find us on Facebook: Youth Wetlands Education and Outreach Program Ashley Mullens YW Program Manager