Planting in a school yard. (Photo by Bruce Schultz)

Planting on the coast. (Photo by Bruce Schultz)

Erecting a wood duck box. (Photo by Bruce Schultz)

To educate young people on the importance of all Louisiana wetlands, the LSU AgCenter’s Youth Wetlands Program offers a wetlands-based curriculum for grades four through 12. The educational materials include a curriculum guide that contains many lessons and activities and educational videos highlighting careers in wetland-related fields.

The program curriculum is endorsed by the Louisiana Science Teachers Association, and lessons are designed to follow Louisiana’s Grade Level Expectations. Pre- and post-tests are completed by participating students, and the results reflect increased knowledge of main science concepts.

“The program has been proven successful,” said Ashley Mullens, youth wetland program coordinator. “Test results taken after the lessons have shown nearly a 30 percent increase in wetland knowledge.”

Teachers who sign up for the program receive lesson plans through their local 4-H agent at no cost. The lessons are designed to correlate with appropriate grade-level expectations.

Mullens is quick to point out that the lessons can be incorporated throughout the school year and encourages this approach. The lessons also teach concepts related to the LEAP test so students can benefit from them, Mullens said.

Each year, the program coordinates a Youth Wetlands Week. This year it will be held April 18-22. During this time, events focusing on wetlands-based issues and concepts are featured. These events occur across the state including wetland plantings in St. Tammany, Tangipahoa and Cameron parishes and an Earth Day celebration in Baton Rouge.

“The 4-H Youth Wetlands Education and Outreach program provide hands-on learning that continues to build on the foundation of positive youth development. Youth gain knowledge of wetland issues through school enrichment programs that will reach 80,000 youth this school year,” said Mark Tassin, state director of the 4-H youth program.

The Youth Wetlands Program was originally funded for three years with a $1.5 million grant from the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources. The program is now funded through the Louisiana Office of Coastal Protection and Restoration for another $1.5 million through 2012.

Since the program began, more than 200,000 youth have been reached. The program has been in 58 of the 64 parishes.

The 4-H National Headquarters and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service presented the 2011 Connecting Youth with Nature through Natural Resources Conservation Education Award to the LSU AgCenter’s 4-H Youth Wetlands Program at the 76th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference in Kansas City, Mo., on March 16.

Since January 2010, youth participants have planted approximately 50,000 wetland plants across Louisiana to combat wetland loss. By developing and distributing wetland education curriculum and teaching materials at no cost to participating educators, this program strives to implement wetlands education in the classroom as well as in the field. Students learn about water quality, invasive species, biodiversity, recreation, adaptations and wetland losses.

 Wetland Facts

· Louisiana is losing 25-35 square miles of wetlands per year and the highest rates are found in the Barataria and Terrebonne basins.

· At current land loss rates approximately 640,000 acres will be under water by 2050, an area nearly the size of the state of Rhode Island.

· Nearly 20 percent of the nation’s oil production and 24 percent of natural gas production originates, is transported through or processed in Louisiana coastal wetlands.

· Louisiana’s commercial fisheries are the most bountiful of the lower 48 states. It is first in the annual harvest of oysters, shrimp, crabs, crawfish, wild catfish and mullet.

The LSU AgCenter is one of 11 institutions of higher education in the Louisiana State University System. Headquartered in Baton Rouge, it provides educational services in every parish and conducts research that contributes to the economic development of the state. The LSU AgCenter does not grant degrees nor benefit from tuition increases. The LSU AgCenter plays an integral role in supporting agricultural industries, enhancing the environment, and improving the quality of life through its 4-H youth, family and community programs.