TIOGA COUNTY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION ASSOCIATION

National 4-H Forestry Invitational Grant

Project Overview

The National 4-H Forestry Invitational received $5,000 to support its 2011 program where 4-H forestry participants learn how forests grow, the role forests play in their lives, and how forests are managed to provide multiple benefits.

The Invitational was held July 24 to 28, 2011 and is part of the 4-H youth program administered by the Cooperative Extension System, and recognized by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. It is managed by a national volunteer steering committee consisting of county Extension educators, U.S. Forest Service professionals, state forestry agency professionals, university faculty, and volunteer leaders. Young 4-H’ers and adult volunteer leaders who participate in this national forestry event learned about the benefits of sustainable forest management and forest certification allowing them to serve as ambassadors of sustainable forestry.

The National 4-H Forestry Invitational is held each summer at Jackson’s Mill near Weston, WV. It has grown from three states in the 1980 inaugural event to as many as 22 states in a given year. Nearly 100,000 people are part of the 4-H Forestry Program nationwide, where youth learn about the forest and forest systems by experiencing them and not just learning about them in a classroom.

Supporting the SFI Standard

This project supports SFI 2010-2014 Standard Objective 17: Community Involvement in the Practice of Sustainable Forestry, including Performance Measure 17.2., requiring that program participants support and promote public outreach, education and involvement related to sustainable forestry management.

Project Partners

National 4-H Forestry Invitational Management Committee; Southern Regional Extension Forestry; The Pennsylvania State University Cooperative Extension; and West Virginia Division of Forestry.

News

SFI Funds Community-based Education and Green Building Projects
Press Release – June 20, 2011

Project Resources

Project Overview PDF

About Tioga County Cooperative Extension Association

The National 4-H Forestry Invitational is the national championship of 4-H forestry. Each year, since 1980, teams of 4-H foresters have come to Jackson’s Mill State 4-H Conference Center at Weston, WV, to meet, compete, and have fun. The purpose of the Invitational is to develop an appreciation for the importance of conserving forestland as a source of products, benefits, and services necessary for quality living. 4-H foresters learn citizenship and leadership skills as well as practical forest management skills through participation in the 4-H Forestry Invitational. By gaining this knowledge young people will be better prepared to own forestland or deal with environmental issues in the future. Jackson’s Mill State 4-H Conference Center is the first and oldest 4-H camp in the United States and is operated by West Virginia University Extension.