{"id":646,"date":"2023-11-24T18:59:47","date_gmt":"2023-11-24T18:59:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digitalworldnet.com\/index.php\/2023\/11\/24\/florida-4-h-forest-ecology-competition-inspires-youth-to-explore-nature-and-pursue-careers-in-forestry\/"},"modified":"2023-11-24T18:59:47","modified_gmt":"2023-11-24T18:59:47","slug":"florida-4-h-forest-ecology-competition-inspires-youth-to-explore-nature-and-pursue-careers-in-forestry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/digitalworldnet.com\/index.php\/2023\/11\/24\/florida-4-h-forest-ecology-competition-inspires-youth-to-explore-nature-and-pursue-careers-in-forestry\/","title":{"rendered":"Florida 4-H Forest Ecology Competition Inspires Youth to Explore Nature and Pursue Careers in Forestry"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>University of Florida&#8217;s Austin Cary Forest hosts annual contest to educate and engage young participants in forest ecology and management<\/h2>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<p>In a world increasingly disconnected from nature, the Florida 4-H Forest Ecology competition stands as a beacon of hope. Held annually at the Roland T. Stern Learning Center in the University of Florida&#8217;s Austin Cary Forest, this event brings together young participants from across the state to learn about the intricacies of forest ecosystems and explore potential career paths in forestry. With the upcoming contest scheduled for March 30, the recent clinic held on October 14 served as a preparatory event for the competitors, providing them with valuable knowledge and skills.<\/p>\n<p class=\"youtube-url\" style=\"text-align:center;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Earth Day 50: 4-H Life (webinar)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/0dlW12P9fPI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>A Tradition of Knowledge Sharing<\/h3>\n<p>For over 25 years, the School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences (SFFGS) at the University of Florida has been organizing the Florida 4-H Forest Ecology competition. This event brings together forest and wildlife experts, students, and extension agents to volunteer their time and pass on their knowledge to the young participants. The contest aims to encourage youth to identify forest trees, plants, wildlife, and forest health stresses, while also demonstrating their understanding of forest ecology and management, map and compass skills, tree measurement, forest management, and natural history.<\/p>\n<h3>A Day of Learning and Preparation<\/h3>\n<p>At this year&#8217;s clinic, 55 members of 4-H arrived at the Roland T. Stern Learning Center eager to learn and improve their skills. The clinic was designed to review the topics and skills that will be measured in the upcoming contest. Elise Cassie, the Contest and Nature Poetry Contest Coordinator, welcomed the participants and expressed her excitement about their enthusiasm for the upcoming event. From the deck overlooking Lake Mize, participants could observe alligators, waterfowl, and other creatures, adding to the immersive learning experience.<\/p>\n<h3>Connecting Youth with Nature<\/h3>\n<p>The SFFGS has a long-standing commitment to engaging youth in outdoor education and introducing them to the wonders of nature. Studies have shown that activities such as hiking, climbing, and navigating natural terrain release the hormone cortisol in the brain, which helps reduce anxiety and stress. Additionally, these experiences foster a deeper understanding of the environment and inspire young people to become stewards of nature. The SFFGS operates various extension programs, including Fishing for Success, Project Learning Tree (PLT), and Kids in the Woods, all aimed at taking children out of the classroom and into nature.<\/p>\n<h3>Former Winners Become Mentors<\/h3>\n<p>Many of the volunteers at the clinic are former winners of the Florida 4-H Forest Ecology competition and current or former students of the SFFGS. Their firsthand experience in the contest gives them unique insights into the skills and knowledge required to succeed. Jonathan Vonesh, a graduate of the SFFGS, participated in the competition for seven years and was the highest-scoring senior competitor in 2018. His success in the contest earned him a scholarship to the SFFGS, where he pursued a degree in Forest Resources and Conservation. Vonesh now serves as a mentor, teaching senior members how to identify trees and sharing his passion for the field.<\/p>\n<h3>Diverse Learning Opportunities<\/h3>\n<p>The clinic offered a range of activities to enhance the participants&#8217; understanding of forest ecology and management. While some presenters quizzed students on animal tracks, environmental legislation, and policies, others focused on map reading and compass skills. Assistant Professor Dan Johnson and Researcher Dila Baramita set up a tree measurement training session, introducing students to the Biltmore stick, a tool used for measuring tree diameter and height. These diverse learning opportunities provided a comprehensive understanding of the various aspects of forest ecology and management.<\/p>\n<h3>Conclusion:<\/h3>\n<p>The Florida 4-H Forest Ecology competition serves as a platform for young participants to immerse themselves in the world of forestry and gain valuable skills and knowledge. Through the dedicated efforts of the SFFGS and the passion of the volunteers, this event not only educates and prepares the youth for the contest but also instills a love for nature and a desire to protect and manage our forests. As the participants gear up for the upcoming competition on March 30, their experiences at the clinic have laid the foundation for a lifelong journey of exploration and stewardship in forestry.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>University of Florida&#8217;s Austin Cary Forest hosts annual contest to educate and engage young participants in forest ecology and management In a world increasingly disconnected from nature, the Florida 4-H Forest Ecology competition stands as a beacon of hope. Held annually at the Roland T. Stern Learning Center in the University of Florida&#8217;s Austin Cary [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":647,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[60],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/digitalworldnet.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/646"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/digitalworldnet.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/digitalworldnet.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/digitalworldnet.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/digitalworldnet.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=646"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/digitalworldnet.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/646\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/digitalworldnet.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/647"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/digitalworldnet.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=646"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/digitalworldnet.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=646"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/digitalworldnet.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=646"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}