Natural Resources

2024 Southeast Ohio Pheasants Forever Youth Event

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Southeast Ohio Pheasants Forever will hold their 22nd Annual Educational Youth Event on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at the Johnstown Community Sportsman’s Club.

When: Saturday, April 13, 2024 from 9:00am to 3:00pm

Where: Johnstown Community Sportsman’s Club located at 7357 Sportsman Club Rd., Johnstown, OH 43031

Who: Youth of all ages!

Cost: FREE!

Events include conservation, habitat, firearm safety, tree stand safety, bird house building, duck decoy painting, wildlife calling demonstrations, fishing, taxidermy, veterinary station, flint knapping, leather crafts, DARE Program, litter recycling, boating safety, and many others!

2024 Forestry Wildlife Camp

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Information for Forestry Wildlife Camp is now available!

  • The Forestry Wildlife Camp is open to campers in grades 7-11.
  • Registration for camp is due March 28, 2024.
  • Campers can enjoy wildlife education, fishing, hiking, tree climbing, outdoor survival, ODNR careers & college opportunities, learning about forestry and more!
  • Scholarships are limited and apply by following this link, by March 1, https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ewVWQ5vl9bBvyS2

Apply for the Forestry and Wildlife Camp by putting this link in your browser today! http://go.osu.edu/24ForestryWLCamp

CANCELLED: 4-H Project Day in the Park

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This event has been cancelled for 2024.

Do you have a 4-H member who plans to take a 4-H Natural Resources Project in 2024? If so, please save the date for the Ohio Department of Natural Resource’s 4-H Project Day in the Park!

What is it? A partnership program between 4-H and ODNR to promote our State Parks and Careers in Natural Resources. (See longer explanation below if you are interested in helping) 😊

What will 4-H members get to do? 4-H members will have the opportunity to sign up for one or both 4-H project sessions. They will work with professionals in those fields and complete at least two activities in their 4-H Project books that day!

Cost? As of right now the event is free!

Where? Deer Creek State Park in Mount Sterling, Ohio

Date/Time? May 18, 2024 – Tentative schedule right now is from 9:45 am – 3:00 pm (families can stay for two sessions or just come for one)

Sponsor: Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

Contact: Jordan Conner jordan.conner@dnr.ohio.gov

The information below is tentative and for your information, if you are interested in helping with the day’s events.

TENTATIVE TIMELINE

  • Between 8:30 am and 9:00 am: Workshop presenters arrive and complete any necessary set-up by 9:30 am
  • Approx. 9:45 am to 10:00 am: 4-H members and parents arrive at location of selected project workshop.
  • 10:00 am to 12:00 pm: Workshop part 1 with one 10 to 15-minute break
  • 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm: Lunch at workshop location
  • 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm: Workshop part 2 with one 10 to 15-minute break
  • 3:00 pm to 3:30 pm: Workshop presenters tear down and clean up

4-H MEMBERS BRING (Backpack Recommended)

  • Project book for selected workshop (NOTE: Forgot book? They can fill out responses at home)
  • Pencil(s)
  • Closed-toe shoes or boots.
  • Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen (If raining, raincoat)
  • Water bottle
  • Packed lunch
  • Items needed for specific workshops will be communicated in advanced.
  • NOTE: 4-H members and their parents will be informed that parental supervision is required.

ODNR PROVIDES

  • Workshop instruction
  • Workshop material and equipment, if applicable
  • Extra pencils
  • Snacks for participants who forget a packed lunch (Goldfish, fruit snacks)
  • Extra bottled water
  • First aid

If you are interested in helping with this project, they are looking for additional session presenters. They are also looking for teens who might be interested in being session helpers and group leaders to move people where they need to be.

Projects for this year have not been selected and could be based on presenter interest. Focus project are those listed under Natural Resources in the family guide.

ODNR’s goal for this event: To introduce their State Parks to the next generation. They have seen declining park visitors over the past 10 years, but with COVID there was a renewed interest in being outside and in nature. ODNR recognizes this opportunity and is reaching out to groups who work with youth to keep this interest growing. They have been doing large state projects with the scout groups and now have reached out to 4-H.

4-H Opportunity for this event: To introduce our 4-H members to professionals who work in the field of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences. Introduce them to careers they may have never heard of before. To give them that opportunity to take their natural resources project beyond what they can do on their own and to use this as a leadership opportunity.

Interested in helping? Contact Jordan Conner at jordan.conner@dnr.ohio.gov

Ohio 4-H Seeks Shooting Sports and Natural Resources Program Assistant

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Come Join Our Team! Ohio 4-H is looking for a hard-working motivated individual to assist with the Ohio 4-H Shooting Sports and Natural Resources Program. As a Program Assistant for the Ohio 4-H Shooting Sports and Natural Resources program, you will be helping with, instructor workshops, Youth Shooting Sports camps, State Fair logistics, and so much more! If you have a passion for working with youth and a love of all things Ohio 4-H Shooting Sports and Natural Resources, this could be the job for you! Interested applicants should apply at: hr.osu.edu/careers. Click on Search Job and search for R89390.

2023 Farm Science Review

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The 2023 Farm Science Review will take place September 19-21, 2023 in London, OH. The Farm Science Review is open 8:00am-5:00pm on Tuesday and Wednesday, and 8:00am-4:00pm on Thursday. The Farm Science Review is packed full of programs, demonstrations, activities, and vendors. You can purchase tickets online here or tickets can be purchased at our office and several other businesses in the county. Pre-sale tickets purchased through our office or one of the other local business must be purchased by Monday, September 18th, otherwise, you can purchase tickets online or when you arrive to the Farm Science Review.

 

Licking County River Round Up!

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The Licking County River Round Up will be held on Saturday, September 9. This annual river clean up brings out hundreds of volunteers who pull tires, shopping carts and mountains of trash from 30 miles of rivers and streams. Through this amazing community-based conservation effort, a river system that had all but been abandoned, has seen a beautiful rebirth of aquatic and bird life. A Special Event for Everyone! You don’t have to get wet or pick up garbage to participate! Want to participate? Register HERE.

Where is the event held?

There are multiple locations across the county: Newark, Heath, Pataskala, Granville, Hebron, Buckeye Lake, and Hanover

Is there an age limit to participate in the event?

Depending on the location, there may be an age limit. See specific clean up locations for more information about age requirements. Have a youth group who wants to participate? Some sites are better suited for younger participants. All minors must have a liability waiver signed by a parent or guardian. To canoe or kayak, participants must have experience paddling on moving water and be at least 16 years of age.

What can I expect during the clean up?

The committee will provide trash bags, buckets, grabbers, high visibility vests, bottles of water and snacks. Pre-registrants will get a t-shirt and volunteer gift.

What should I wear?

Expect to get wet and muddy. Wear old, grubby clothes and close-toed shoes.

What can’t I bring to the event?

Do not bring pets to the event.

Can I register my club/team for the event?

Yes, the River Round Up is a great event for scouts, clubs and businesses.  One person can do the registration, but each participant’s name, email and contact info is required to complete registration.

Are there opportunities to participate without getting in the water?

Yes, there are many on-land tasks including helping with registration, transporting equipment and people, picking up trash from drop offs and getting it to dumpsters, and helping clean up after everyone is off the water.  Look for these options on the registration page.

What should I do when I arrive the day of the event?

Those that registered individually must check in at the registration site.  Only one person, preferably a group leader, should check in a group or family.  If you are part of a group, check in with your group leader.

Where can I contact the organizer with any questions?

Call 740-670-5330 or email ContactUs@LickingSWCD.com

Can I update my registration information?

Yes, call 740 670-5330 or email information@LickingSWCD.com with changes/updates.

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

No

Ohio State Beekeepers Association Scholarship Application

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Scholarship Information for 2024 Applicants

Ohio State Beekeepers Association supports new young beekeepers through our Youth Scholarship Program. We realize that the success of a new beekeeper is not reliant on the student’s work and money alone but on the partnership’s effort. Thus, the Youth Scholarship Program encourages the participation of parents/guardians, 4-H/FFA Ohio advisers, local Ohio associations, and mentors. For 2024 there will be 10 scholarships available: 5 designated for 4-H and 5 designated for FFA.

While the document below explains the program guidelines in detail, here is a quick overview:

Selection Criteria

  1. Students must be between the ages of 12 and 18 by January 1st of the scholarship year (2024), be a member of 4-H / FFA, and be enrolled in public, private, or home school.
  2. The applicants must complete and return the application by Saturday, September 16th, 2023.

Selection Process

  1. The selection committee will carefully consider each candidate and select the finalists on the completion of their application.
  2. The OSBA Youth Scholarship winners will be announced on Saturday, October 7th, 2023.

The selected Partnership Program Scholars will receive:

  1. Woodenware and tools for two hives (see attached document)
  2. 1 – year free membership to the OSBA, with an electronic newsletter
  3. 1 – year subscription to American Bee Journal
  4. 1 – year subscription to Bee Culture
  5. Free attendance at the OSBA Fall Convention (including 2 guests)

Download the 2024 Program Documents and Application. If you have any questions, please contact the OSBA Youth Scholarship Program by email at youth-scholarship@ohiostatebeekeepers.org or call 419.438.7335. Completed applications are due by Saturday, September 16th, 2023.

To download the application, please visit https://ohiostatebeekeepers.org/youth-scholarship-program/

4-H Project Day with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources

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4-H Project Day – will be held June 17 from 10AM – 4PM at Alum Creek State Park.

The event is being hosted by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and is open to all 4-H members across Ohio!

Best of all the event is FREE!

The day will be filled with fun, hands-on educational activities that are designed to fulfill 4-H project book requirements. Each workshop event will be taught by experts from ODNR and/or Army Corps Volunteers.  

The 4-H projects that are the focus of this even include: Geology Can You Dig It? Why Trees Matter,  Beginning Fishing, Ohio Birds, Insect Adventures, Explore the Outdoors, Photography Basics, and Get Started in Art.

Any youth under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.

4-H Volunteers!

ODNR is also looking for Volunteer Chaperones for this event! So you can get in on the fun! Chaperones will help supervise 4-H members and provide guidance and assistance completing project activities.

RSVP or sign up to volunteer at: ohiodnr.gov/4HDay