Aquatic Environments and Water

All About Water!

Have you ever wondered what types of things live in water, or need water to survive?  The Pennsylvania 4-H Water Projects are the perfect way to start exploring the wonderful world of water, or to expand on knowledge at a more advanced level!

Youth who participate in 4-H outdoors programs, including the 4-H water projects, develop life skills that include leadership, responsibility, decision making, communicating, planning and organizing, community service, a positive attitude, and a sense of self-worth.

The goal of this project is for youth to learn experientially about water and its importance in a variety of environments.  From conservation to water quality, the Water Lion teaches youth how incredible water is!

Learn about:

• Water Conservation
• Water Quality testing and study techniques
• Riparian Buffers
• Aquatic wildlife
• Careers in water conservation and quality

Participant outcomes:

• Develop water quality testing skills
• Become confident in identification of aquatic organisms
• Practice water conservation strategies in their lives
• Advocate for the protection of aquatic environments

Youth interested in 4-H Water Projects can explore careers like:

• Water Testing Specialist
• Fish and Boat Commission
• Watershed Technician
• Environmental Educator
• Conservation Specialist
• Outdoor Association Representative

Projects:

• Unit 1- Water Conservation with the Water Lion- Learn about water conservation and why water is important to all different organisms and environments. 
• Unit 2- Incredible Water with the Water Lion- Learn about what makes water so incredible!  The chemical make up of water, and the phase changes that it goes through make it one of the most important substances on earth.
• Units 1 and 2- Helpers Guide-
• Unit 3- Water Quality Matters- Learn how to determine the quality of water both chemically and biologically and learn ways to improve water quality in streams and other environments.
• Unit 3-Supplement-Riparian BUFFers- Learn about the importance of riparian buffers and how they help to improve water quality.
• Helper's guide-Unit 3

Cloverbud Outdoor Opportunity: Nature Start

What’s Nature Start? Nature Start is a new grassroots initiative for youth, sponsored by Pennsylvania 4-H. It is different from anything 4-H has ever done before. Nature Start involves locally-based groups for youth ages 5-10. These may be family, neighborhood, or community based, or they may be preexisting groups from schools, child care centers, homeschoolers, after-school programs and others. Nature Start groups will be organized and facilitated by adult volunteers (“Nature Start Mentors”). Youth involved in these groups will participate in monthly “gatherings” to increase their awareness and knowledge of the natural world, gain interest in spending time outside, and demonstrate improved mental and physical health as a result of spending more time outdoors exploring nature. Nature Start is for all youth, regardless of where they live –- cities, towns, suburbs, and rural areas. There’s a piece of nature in every Pennsylvania community.

The bottom line: Nature Start youth have FUN while connecting with nature.

Explore more programs and events

• Forestry and Wildlife Field Day