DATE: 10/25/05

CONTACT: Rick Willey, (864) 656-3090

WRITER: Diane Palmer, (864) 656-4741

Clemson University professors wins national award

CLEMSON – Three Clemson University professors has won the national 2005 NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) Youth Environmental Award for their work with the 4H 2O program.

Rick Willey, Clemson Extension 4-H natural resources specialist in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Darren Atkins, Clemson Extension agent in Newberry County, and Barbara Speziale, associate dean, Academic Outreach and Summer Academic Programs and professor in Biological Sciences, will be honored Nov. 3 at the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents Conference in Seattle, Washington.

4H 2O Pontoon Classroom is a novel, community-supported and field-based program that provides children and adults with knowledge about their local water resources and teaches them field, analytical and critical thinking skills needed to intelligently participate in making decisions that affect the quality of these environments.

“ 4H 2O is unique in that the curriculum has national appeal,” said Atkins. “This award will allow us to promote the program at that level to promote water conservation.”

The program has reached 1,100 students directly and 2,000 more through teacher training.

“This is really the agents’ and the many volunteers’ award for putting this program on the ground and all their hard work, said Willey. “ 4H 2O is innovative in its successful reliance on community partners and the strong relationships forged with lakeshore homeowners, local educational institutions and state agencies. Each 4H 2O program is coordinated as an independent partnership, resulting in more than 50 organizations collaborating to 4H 2O’s success across the state.”

The award winners will receive $7,500.

“ 4H 2O is remarkable in that the children use real scientific equipment – the same equipment as we use in Clemson limnology classes and for filed research,” said Speziale. “Using professional equipment emphasizes to the children that they are doing real research and that they can become scientists.”

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