Natural Resources Curriculum Committee Meeting Minutes

Conference Call Meeting
May 14, 2002

Members Present: Sanford Smith, Chair ("Sandy"), David Miller (Volunteer), Vicki Nave (Volunteer), Kara Graver (Agent), Susan Boser (Agent), Harry Blanchet (Agent), Susan Taylor (Agent), Joe Fuller (Agent), Gary Micsky (Agent)

Unable to participate in the call: Robert Hansen (Agent), Denise Klingensmith (Volunteer), Helaine Brown (Agent), Margaret Brittingham (Specialist), and Nicole Foremsky (Agent)

ITEMS OF DISCUSSION
1. Incredible Water — Water Book II
Sandy informed the group that this new project book went to the printer last week and should be ready for distribution by June 1, 2002. It can be undertaken as a project before or after the Water Conservation Book. It covers the basic science of water and its properties. The designer did a great job at getting this book to look similar to the Conservation book and yet attractive in its own way. A display for this new book is being developed for use at APD 2002. Counties can use it thereafter, as they have wit the Water Conservation exhibit.

2. The Wildlife Manager Intermediate Book II
This book is written and has been through two edits. It is now with the designer. It is designed to follow The Wildlife Ecologist. Sandy mentioned that we still need some artwork of land managers. Harry asked that the committee get a copy of the draft version so everyone can help find drawings. Dave suggested that photos might be more assessable than drawings. Sandy will follow up on these suggestions. Perhaps some national WHEP book photos could be used? Sandy will be meeting with Margaret (Brittingham) this afternoon to discuss these illustration ideas. Susan Taylor mentioned that she had developed a nature journal outline to go with this project for a training she did, she will share with the group via email.

3. Water Quality Matters Update
Sandy reported that a grant was secured by Dr. Bill Shape to support the development of this new curriculum project. Joy Drohan, who worked with us on the other water books, was hired to develop this book for the intermediate level on water quality (Ages 12-14). Joy has developed an outline for this book with Sandy and Bill and this was shared with the committee via an email attachment. Sandy reviewed this outline and the following suggestions and points of discussion were raised:

The group agrees that this project should cover the topic of water quality and how it is measured and understood through criteria and water uses

The book needs simple hands on activities and it should not get too technical on water quality regulations or chemistry. Any materials suggested should be what is easily available to kids. Would swimming pool testing chemicals or fish aquarium testing kits work for any of the chemical tests? Some of these can be used to test pH, hardness, chlorine, nitrates. Would the tolerances of these tests be too high for natural settings? Water garden suppliers may sell a DO test kit for checking on water suitability for fish and plants.

Turbidity could be tested with a homemade Secchi disk. This could be a craft project that the 4-H’ers construct. Several glass jars with soil added could be used to look at turbidity as well.

The project WET activity guide ha some adaptable activities on these topics.

Materials such vinegar and TUMS might be used to acidify or buffer water for an experiment.

State Park and Water Treatment Plant connections might be developed to allow opportunities to test water and carry out activities

The group liked the idea of a young urban angler as the central character who explores a water source like a river where he/she fishes. However, the group expanded on the idea to include a rural/pristine water source as well. Perhaps this urban angler could have a rural/farming friend or cousin that he visits and goes fishing with? Perhaps the urban angler could visit a grandparent or other family member in a rural area to explore a more pristine body of water? Perhaps these two waterways could be part of the same watershed; sort of like "the country and the city mouse book concept" but connected by a watershed. The book could go in the other direction as well, with the country person visiting the urban person.

The section on fecal-coliform should stress that this is a current problem as well as historical problem.

If aquatic insect scouting and collecting is part of this project, we will need to mention that there are state regulations (PFBC) about this and a fishing license and educational collecting permit (free, annual permit, takes 6 weeks turn around time) may be needed. Kids under 16 don’t need this, but those over 16 and a Leader involved will need the permit. This information is listed in the Catch the Bug 4-H Leaders Guide.

The Isaac Walton League has a good stream evaluation form that might be useful in regards to a final project as well. Harry has a MS Word version of this and will send this to Sandy to be sent to Joy.

A Leaders Guide should be developed that covers all of these water books. Sandy suggested that he is looking for a willing Extension Agent or other that wants to do this as a Masters Degree project.

4. Endangered Species 4-H Project Update
This 4-H project is currently out of date and has always been considered too advanced for youth/4-H’ers. Sometimes adults use it as a reference book. Sandy reported that he and Margaret had prepared a proposal for the USFWS to seek funds to revise this project in a single project book. We were informed that funding might be available latter in the fiscal year (Aug.-Sept.). The group agreed that this was the way to go.

5. Wildlife and Forestry Field Days
These were staged again. Approximately 180 youth and adults were involved. Two teams of four youth each were selected to attend that national competitions around these projects this summer. We need to advertise these more effectively next year. While the dates of these events are difficult for some counties, it was decided to continue with the third Saturday of April and first Saturday in May next year.