Section 4319: 4-H Environmental Stewardship
Each piece of exhibits containing more than one item must be labeled with exhibitor’s name and county.
Publications listed in this section can be found at the Environmental Science Curriculum webpage.
Vermi Composting
(with Worms) (Grades 3-7)
Compost sample and poster that explains how to compost with worms. Must include report (1 page) for one or more of the following areas: bins for vermi composting, feeding and care, moisture requirements, harvesting compost. Poster must include a photograph of your compost bin. One pint of compost (worm castings) in a sandwich-size zip-lock bag or pint jar with lid must be included
Exploring Streams & Lakes Poster
(Grades 3-7)
Poster (14” x 22”) with photos showing a stream, lake or pond you have visited. Photos should show things like shorelines or creek banks, appearance of the water, condition of vegetation on the shore or banks, and problem areas such as erosion, trash or obvious pollution. For more ideas read Lit. #19. “Water Quality of Streams and Lakes” Related report form is #20. Each photo must have a caption explaining what it shows. Overall, the poster should tell what you think is helping or harming the water or the plants and animals that live there. Changes should be shown over time for projects after the first year. Poster title should include name of water body, if it has one, and town or county where located.
Water Critters
(Grades 3-7)
Display a collection of pond, lake or stream critters (invertebrates only - no animals with backbones e.g. fish or frogs) preserved in one to three small glass jars with rubbing alcohol as described in Lit. #21 ”Aquatic Organism”. Securely attach a completed Critter ID bookmark (Lit. # 29 “Stream and Lake Critter Identification”) to the jar using tape and a string around the jar neck. Do not include more than one of each type of critter.
Collect only critters found on or in the water, not adult flies. Write a short paragraph telling about the value of water critters - read and summarize in your own words Lit. #21 or related materials. Optional: Include one single-sided page of labeled photos or drawings of the site or collecting activity.
Where Does My Water Come From Poster
(Grades 3-7)
Poster should show or describe the source of your water (lake, aquifer, and private well) and/or what is done to it (water treatment plant, home filtration system) before it gets to your home. See Lit # 19 “Water Quality of Stream” for ideas.
Natural Resources of My County Poster
(Grades 3-7)
Poster (14” x 22”) with your photos showing a mixture of local natural resources like prairies, forests, scenic views, water bodies, agriculture, wildlife or similar things. Each photo must have a caption naming the resource. Overall, the poster should convince the reader that your county is a great place to live. Poster should be at least 1 inch tall and include name of your county
Recycled Item
(Grades 3-7)
Useable item made from trash other than craft type item. Original ideas and useful items will be ranked higher. Attach 3” x 5” card listing all materials used.
Aquatic Habitat Poster
(Grades 3-7)
Poster (14” x 22”) with photos showing a stream, lake or pond you have visited. Photos should illustrate distinct habitats such as shoreline vegetation, undercut banks, rocky shores, riffles, pools or runs. Each photo must have a caption explaining what it shows. For more ideas read Lit. #21. “Aquatic Organism” Overall, the poster should comment on things you observed that could be helping or harming the critters or their habitat. Changes should be shown over time for projects after the initial year. Poster title should include name of water body, if it has one, and town or county where located.
Homemade Stream or Lake Sampling Equipment
(Grades 3-7)
Display one piece of stream or lake sampling equipment that you have made. Write a one page report explaining its purpose and how to use it. Some possibilities include Secchi disks, plankton tows, deep water samplers, and kick nets. See TV A booklet, “Homemade Sampling Equipment” for instructions on how to make equipment. Optional: Include one single-sided page of labeled photos or drawings showing equipment in use.
What Is A Watershed? Poster
(Grades 8-12)
Poster should describe what watersheds are and how they work. Title must contain the word, “watershed”. See Literature # 24 “Understanding Human Impact on Streams” for ideas.
Natural Resources of My County Poster
(Grades 8-12)
Poster with photos showing a mixture of local natural resources like prairies, forests, soils, scenic views, water bodies, agriculture, wildlife or similar things. It is desirable to show people using the resource. Each photo must have a caption naming the resource and explaining how people use and enjoy it. Overall, the poster should convince the reader that your county is a great place to live. Poster title should be at least 1 inch tall and include name of your county.
Stream, Pond or Lake Poster
(Grades 8-12)
Poster should include photos showing a stream, pond or lake you have visited. Poster should show things people have done or might do along the shore or in the watershed that can harm this stream, pond or lake. For ideas read Literature #’s 21 & 24. Poster title must include name of water body and town or county where located.
Water Critters
(Grades 8-12)
Display a collection of pond, lake or stream critters (invertebrates only - no animals with backbones e.g. fish or frogs) preserved in small glass jars with rubbing alcohol as described in Lit. # 21”Aquatic Organism”. Collect in only one water body. Separate critters from different habitats into different jars, labeled with habitat name. Do not include more than one of each type of critter in each collection jar. Collect only critters found on or in the water, not adult flies. Write a 1 page report on three of your critters explaining how they are adapted to their habitat. Read Lit. # 21 for ideas. Use the Bookmark Critter ID rating form instructions (Lit. # 29) to calculate the water quality rating for your water body and include results in your report.
Homemade Stream or Lake Sampling Equipment
(Grades 8-12)
Display one piece of stream or lake sampling equipment that you have made. Write a 1 page report explaining its purpose and how to use it. Some possibilities include Secchi disks, plankton tows, deep water samplers, and kick nets. See TVA booklet, “Homemade Sampling Equipment” for instructions on how to make equipment Optional: Include one single-sided page of labeled photos or drawings showing equipment in use.
Illegal Dumping - Poster
(Grades 8-12)
Poster should discourage illegal dumping and explain how illegal dumps can contaminate water or create other problems.
Landfill Display
(Grades 8-12)
Display showing how landfills work.
Recycled Item
(Grades 8-12)
Useable item made from trash other than craft type item. Original ideas and useful items will ranked higher. Attach 3” x 5” card listing all materials used.
Group Environmental Project Display
(all grades)
This exhibit is to consist of a display and written report of an environmental project carried out by 4 or more 4-H members under the supervision of a 4-H leader. The project may focus on any area of environmental stewardship including recycling, education about a local environmental issue, planting trees or other area of interest. Display not to exceed 3’ x 4’ (depth x width).
Judging Criteria
- A brief project description and statement of purpose and objectives.
- Creativity and quality of project.
- A brief summary of project activities, extent to which objectives were achieved, knowledge gained, significance of the project to the environment in the community, and number of people involved and/or impacted by project.
- Media campaign. Include copies of newspaper clippings and other publicity related to the project.
- Photographs may be included.
Individual Self-Directed Environmental Stewardship Project
(all grades)
Educational report, display or exhibit on the efforts of the member to protect or improve the environment in or near his/her community. Projects may include topics such as protecting water quality, recycling, illegal dumping, household hazardous wastes, reducing soil erosion on farmland, controlling urban runoff or other topics relevant to the community.
Project may include
- Hands-on efforts (such as controlling erosion by tree planting or use of buffer strips)
- Educational programs conducted in the community, including numbers reached and newspaper clippings (such as minimizing solid waste) or
- A combination of hands-on and educational