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PRESS RELEASES
5-14-08 OSU Extension 4-H Wildlife Stewards Program Receives National Award CORVALLIS, Ore. — The 4-H Wildlife Stewards Program of the Oregon State University Extension Service has been selected to receive the inaugural 2008 Fish and Wildlife Service—4H Natural Resources Conservation Award. The OSU Extension Service 4-H Wildlife Stewards program is the first to be recognized this way since the U.S. Department of the Interior and Department of Agriculture began a partnership in 1980 to honor 4-H involvement in natural resource conservation. Wildlife habitat education sites have been established and maintained on the grounds of 54 schools in 19 Oregon counties over the last 10 years, according to Maureen Hosty, OSU Extension 4-H Wildlife Stewards Program coordinator. "Our volunteers are trained to use these outdoor laboratories to enhance learning and give students actual experiences in science, wildlife and natural resource conservation," Hosty said. These natural areas, which now grace once-stark school grounds, are home to native plants and woodlands, flowers, garden ponds, butterfly gardens, nesting boxes, nurseries and other habitat amenities. The 4-H Wildlife Stewards program engages students in grades kindergarten through high school. The adult stewards volunteer for a minimum of 50 hours of service and receive 25–30 hours of training. "These volunteers, and the students and teachers they work with, do a wonderful job of improving out environment and helping young people become good stewards of our natural heritage," Hosty said. Cathann Kress, director of the national 4-H headquarters, said, "We are pleased that a program of this caliber will receive this award. The development, implementation and evaluation of this outstanding education program demonstrate sound stewardship of fish and wildlife resources." The recognition consists of a $5,000 cash award and travel for five representatives of 4-H Wildlife Stewards to attend an awards reception March 26 at the 73rd North American Wildlife and Natural Resource Conference, sponsored by the Wildlife Management Institute, in Phoenix, Ariz. The award represents the partnership between National 4-H Headquarters, Cooperative Research, Education and Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Fish and Wildlife Services, U.S. Department of the Interior. Corvallis Resident Wins National 4-H Volunteer Award (3-17-06)
CORVALLIS, Ore. - Patti Warner of Corvallis has been awarded the 2006 National 4-H Wildlife and Fisheries Adult Volunteer Leader Award for outstanding service to the Oregon State University Extension Service 4-H Wildlife Stewards Program in Benton County.
The award, given annually for exceptional achievement as a 4-H wildlife or fisheries leader, is sponsored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National 4-H Headquarters, Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Warner received recognition for her work as coordinator of the Jefferson Elementary School 4-H Wildlife Stewards Program, "Keepers of the Creek," a hands-on wildlife habitat education site and urban stream restoration project for grades K-5. She is one of six 4-H fisheries and wildlife volunteer leaders from throughout the U.S. to receive the national award this year.
"We're thrilled to have Patti Warner represent our program as a national award winner," said Maggie Livesay, 4-H youth development program field faculty in the Benton County office of the OSU Extension Service.
Warner will attend the 71st North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference on March 22-26 in Columbus, Ohio, where all the award recipients will be recognized, Livesay added.
The 4-H Wildlife Stewards program trains volunteers who partner with K-12 school educators to create wildlife education sites on school grounds that give students the opportunity for hands-on science experiences outside their classroom door.
Volunteer 4-H Wildlife Stewards use the sites as outdoor laboratories to help students gain a better understanding and appreciation of science, wildlife and natural resources topics. In return for 25-30 hours of training, 4-H Wildlife Stewards volunteer a minimum of 50 hours service.
Trained 4-H Wildlife Stewards volunteer in 45 schools in 16 Oregon counties, according to Maureen Hosty, 4-H Wildlife Stewards Program leader.
For more information about the 4-H Wildlife Stewards Program contact Maggie Livesay at 541-766-6750, or visit the website at http://wildlifestewards.4h.oregonstate.edu
By Bob Rost, 541-737-3381 Source: Maggie Livesay, 541-766-6750
About the OSU Extension Service: The OSU Extension Service is the statewide educational outreach arm of the university, working to help Oregonians find solutions to high priority economic, environmental and social issues. Extension delivers research-based educational programs in agriculture, forestry, family and community development, marine and fresh water issues and 4-H youth development. Sunnyside School Ranch Exchange to Eastern Oregon
On February 18-22nd, 20 middle schools students from Sunnyside Environmental school, a teacher, a parent, and 3 4-H staff traveled to Eastern Oregon for a 5-day exchange with ranch families from Eastern Oregon. The purpose of the trip was to provide Portland youth with the opportunity to learn about the lifestyles of rural Oregonians and learn about natural resource management from an Eastern Oregon Perspective. Several newspapers covered this groundbreaking trip. You can find them at:
Overcoming the Urban-Rural Divide http://www.oregonlive.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news/114109711389680.xml?oregonian?nwg&coll=7
City Kids, Ranches try Wolf Detente http://www.oregonlive.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news/114049411967670.xml?oregonian?lctop&coll=7
There have also been two articles in the Blue Mountain Eagle Paper (both front page articles) that can also be accessed on-line
Bridging the Urban-Rural Divide http://www.bluemountaineagle.com/
Walking in the Shoes of an Eastern Oregonian http://www.bluemountaineagle.com/
And two articles in the Oregon Capital Press (also both front page articles). Only one article can be accessed on-line
A Mile in their Boots
OSU EXTENSION SERVICE NAMES RENNEKAMP AS STATE 4-H LEADER (7/14/05)
CORVALLIS – Roger Rennekamp has been named 4-H program leader for the Oregon State University Extension Service and head of the Department of 4-H Youth Development Education in the OSU College of Education.
Rennekamp, who began his duties July 1, brings 26 years of experience with 4-H youth development programs to his new position.
Lillian Larwood, OSU Extension assistant 4-H program leader and department head, has been interim program leader since December 2004.
Rennekamp will provide overall leadership for OSU Extension’s youth education program, which last year saw more than 100,000 young people participating under the direction of about 6,000 volunteer adult leaders. He succeeds Jim Rutledge who retired.
Rennekamp’s responsibilities include statewide leadership for Oregon’s 4-H program, department administration, fiscal management and policy development. He will also provide program oversight for the Oregon 4-H Conference and Education Center.
The new Extension leader comes to OSU from the University of Kentucky, where he was an Extension specialist in program and staff development for several years. He began his Extension career with the University of Kentucky in 1979 when he started out as a county Extension agent for 4-H youth development. He received his doctorate from Ohio State University in 1987.
Rennekamp is co-chair of the National 4-H Professional Development Task Force and is a past chair of the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents’ Professional Improvement Committee.
His research interests are in the area of youth engagement and community youth development.
By Bob Rost, 541-737-3381 SOURCES: Roger Rennekamp, 541-737-2421 and Lillian Larwood, 541-737-1316 NEW EDITION OF POPULAR OSU BOOK INTRODUCES TREES TO KNOW (6/16/05)
CORVALLIS – Since its publication in black and white more than 50 years ago, “Trees to Know in Oregon” has become the Oregon State University Extension Service’s most-requested publication.
A new revised edition is now available – in full color.
The expanded, 152-page “Trees to Know in Oregon” provides a new generation of youth, hikers, gardeners and foresters with text that combines identification and anecdote with maps and color photographs.
Edward C. Jensen, an OSU forestry professor, is the primary author and principal photographer of the new edition of the book, but he is quick to recognize the contributions of others, especially the book’s original author, retired OSU Extension forestry specialist Charles R. Ross.
The new edition has updated sections on ornamental trees, Oregon’s forests and record-breaking big trees.
According to the book, Oregon is home to more than 50 national champion trees listed in the American Forestry Association’s National Register of Big Trees. They include the nation’s largest black cottonwood (370 feet), black walnut (278 feet), and garden plum (a 47-foot giant more than 10 feet around).
Of the truly giant Douglas-firs, the authors describe a tree in Coos County that is taller than a 28-story building with a circumference “larger than two compact cars parked side by side. Its canopy, at high noon, casts a shadow the size of a swimming pool.”
The soft-cover book is full of tidbits to help you get to know Oregon trees. For example, the authors point out that lodgepole pine was first named by Lewis and Clark. They describe how whitebark pine and birds called Clark’s nutcrackers are highly dependent on each other for survival. And they note that, although more than 1,000 varieties of pears have been named, only a half-dozen varieties are grown commercially.
Far more than just a field guide, “Trees to Know in Oregon” will be a good companion on the trail or on the nightstand, Jensen says.
The book costs $12 per copy and is available from many county offices of the OSU Extension Service.
Or, you may order copies for an additional $4 shipping and handling fee. To order, send your request for EC 1450 with a check or money order for $16 to: Publication Orders, Extension and Experiment Station Communications, Oregon State University, 422 Kerr Administration, Corvallis, OR 97331-2119.
Raleigh Hills Elementary Worm Project (March 2005) Kids Can Learn From Worms http://www.portlandtribune.com/archview.cgi?id=29020 The Wiggles http://www.beavertonvalleytimes.com/article/6797 OSU 4-H PROGRAM SUCCESS TOLD AT NATIONAL CONFERENCE Trained volunteers in the Oregon State University Extension Service 4-H Wildlife Stewards program have proven to be extremely effective partners with Oregon public schools in teaching children about the environment, according to an OSU Extension educator speaking at a national conference on policy and practice in exemplary educational programs for youth. The conference, "Creating Common Ground in Youth Development," was held at the University of Arizona, Tuscon. Mary Arnold, OSU Extension 4-H Youth specialist, was invited to present on Oregon's 4-H Wildlife Stewards program and the success it has enjoyed over the past five years. She stated that the program offers the potential to improve natural resources education in elementary schools throughout the country. The 4-H Wildlife Stewards Program trains adult volunteers who work with children to conduct wildlife habitat projects on school grounds. Wildlife stewards cooperate with school officials, teachers and community members to convert portions of school yards into wildlife habitat demonstration areas. The stewards then use the areas to show students relationships between wildlife and the environment. Local businesses often donate materials used in the construction of the demonstration areas. The program currently serves 55 4-H Wildlife Stewards Member Schools and 12,887 students in five Oregon counties. OSU Extension specialists and field faculty are developing the program into a national 4-H program model for natural resources education thanks to a $748,000 grant from the National Science Foundation. Arnold is evaluating the Wildlife Stewards Program. "So far program organizers have found that the trained wildlife stewards have been very good as informal science educators in public schools," said Arnold. "They tend to be very enthusiastic about what they do, often—but not always—because they have a child going to the school where they volunteer. "The real value of Wildlife Stewards is that it provides a way for public schools to offer a hands-on experience to go along with the environmental education students receive in class," Arnold continued. "Due to increasing class size and shrinking budgets in many schools, teachers are simply unable to give students hands-on learning opportunities in the natural science area." She added that many Oregon school administrators are especially appreciative of the 4-H Wildlife Stewards Program because it helps them meet new Oregon Benchmarks for science education in elementary and middle schools. The Wildlife Stewards program is a somewhat unique 4-H program in that volunteers receive subject matter training on wildlife, wildlife habitat and how to work effectively with public schools, Arnold said. 4-H volunteers usually lead club projects in subjects they already know a lot about, she said. "The 4-H Wildlife Stewards program is actually similar to OSU Extension's Master Gardener program where volunteers receive subject matter training that enables them to answer gardening questions from the public," said Arnold. "In return for the training the volunteers agree to give a set number of hours of their time back to the program." The 4-H Wildlife Steward volunteers complete 30 hours of training, and are required to volunteer 50 hours of instruction at a school that offers the 4-H Wildlife Stewards Program. Maureen Hosty, a 4-H field faculty member in the Multnomah County office of the OSU Extension Service, started the 4-H Wildlife Stewards Program in 1997. "This program demonstrates the powerful role that trained volunteers can play in the education of young people," Arnold said. "And, the design of the program is a great example of how new and innovative partnerships between schools, businesses and communities can enhance the education of our youth." OSU Extension 4-H PROGRAM Wins National Recognition CORVALLIS, Ore. - The Oregon State University Extension Service 4-H Wildlife Stewards Program - a partnership between Oregon 4-H and public schools to teach children about nature, science and the environment - has won two national achievement awards. The National 4-H Council presented the 2005 Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Youth Environmental Award to the Oregon 4-H Wildlife Stewards Program. Sponsored by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the National 4-H Council award includes $7,500. The council is a national, non-profit partner of 4-H and the Cooperative Extension System. Last fall, OSU's Wildlife Stewards program received the Wildlife Society's Group Achievement Award for "outstanding accomplishments to benefit wildlife." The society is an international, non-profit scientific and educational organization of wildlife conservation and resource management professionals. The NRCS Youth Environmental Award citation commended the Wildlife Stewards Program for "changing the way 4-H faculty and staff deliver 4-H programs and creating new ways for parents and teachers to work together in providing informal science education inside and outside of the classroom." "These awards are great recognition for all the volunteers and Extension 4-H faculty who have built the 4-H Wildlife Stewards into a nationally recognized model program," said Roger Rennekamp, OSU Extension 4-H statewide program leader. The 4-H Wildlife Stewards program trains volunteers who partner with K-12 educators to create and sustain wildlife habitat education sites on school grounds that allow students to experience some of the science they learn in class. Volunteer wildlife stewards use these sites as outdoor laboratories to help students gain a better understanding and appreciation of science, wildlife and natural resources topics. In return for 25-30 hours of training, the stewards volunteer a minimum of 50 hours of service. Trained 4-H Wildlife Stewards volunteer in 54 schools in 19 Oregon counties, according to Maureen Hosty, OSU Extension 4-H Wildlife Stewards Program coordinator. "These volunteers, and the students and teachers they work with, are doing a wonderful job of improving our environment and helping young people to become good stewards of our natural heritage," said Hosty.
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