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4-H20 Water Quality
| Name | Debra Clowney-Parnell | | Situation | Youth in Florence County are among the increased number of young people in the world that lack knowledge and understanding of our water resources and how to protect them. Many of our daily activities at home, work or play have the potential to affect water quality. Runoff from lawns, roads and parking lots eventually drain into our waterways, carrying with it nutrients, oil, gas, bacteria, and other pollutants. Numerous industries discharge treated wastewater to rivers and streams. At the same time we unconsciously pollute our water resources, we demand clean water for drinking, as a food source, for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, swimming and for industrial uses. Our plants and animals also depend on clean waterways for food and habitat.
| | Response | Thanks to collaboration by Florence County 4-H, Florence County Parks and Recreation, SC Department of Natural Resources and the Lee and Florence County Soil and Water Conservation District, 32 youth ages 8-14, held their summer classroom on the banks of the Lynches River. The 4-H20 program taught how to protect our water resources, how to measure water conductivity, to make secchi disks for use in judging clarity and how to test pH levels. Youth participated in a show and tell session on reptiles and amphibians, searched for aquatic insects, and learned about plants and soils on a wetlands mitigation field trip. The use of diverse educational materials was used to teach the importance of water quality. Hands-on techniques and experiments using the computer, microscope, meters and other measuring tools made the class exciting. News articles and photos were used to inform and promote the program.
| | Impact | At the completion of the week-long camp, 95% of the youth indicated that they had increased their knowledge about the importance of clean water, 100% expressed that it was a good experience and would attend another day camp program, 75% shared knowledge learned with their parents at the end of the day, and 90% indicated that they would continue practices to keep our water clean. |
Last update5/23/2008
This website is maintained by Tomika Orgbon.
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