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Events

4-H Exploration Days

Date: June 20, 2012 - June 22, 2012
Location: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI

Annual MSU pre-college program that attracts approximately 2500 youth participants and chaperones representing all 83 Michigan counties.  

4-H Great Lakes and Natural Resources Camp

Date: July 29, 2012 - August 4, 2012
Location: Camp Chickagami, Presque Isle County, MI

MSU pre-college program teaches youth about Michigan’s diverse natural resources, Great Lakes ecosystems and outdoor recreation opportunities such as charter fishing, kayaking, sailing and snorkeling. 

Michigan 4-H Youth Conservation Council

2012 M4-HYCC Senate Presentation

4-H teens are providing important leadership for conserving Michigan’s natural resources!

M4-HYCC in the News! – M4-HYCC provides suggested solutions on invasive plant species in Michigan.

The focus of the 2011-12 M4-HYCC was to promote the adoption of a standardized assessment system for the identification of invasive terrestrial plant species in collaboration with Michigan Invasive Plant Council (MIPC). The group strove to understand and address the concerns of both environmental groups and industry as they worked to raise public awareness of terrestrial invasive plants. Learn about their presentation to two senate committees – the Senate Committee of Natural Resources Environment and Great Lakes Committee and the Senate Committee of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism.

See more photos of the 2012 M4-HHYCC presentation to the Senate Committee of Natural Resources Environment and Great Lakes.

The Michigan 4-H Youth Conservation Council (M4HYCC) offers:

  • A leadership and confidence-building opportunity for youth ages 13 to 19.
  • Acquisition of important life skills, experiences, knowledge and understanding of current environmental issues.
  • A chance to explore solutions to environmental issues and provide “youth voice” in state government public policy-making.
  • Exposure to a number of career possibilities and mentoring from caring adults.
  • Life-long benefits for teens as future community leaders and stewards of Michigan’s natural resources. 
  • New friendships with others from across Michigan.

The program selects 25 youth from around the state in the fall of each year.  The youth that apply for M4-HYCC typically have an interest in natural resources, environmental problems, outdoor recreation and/or politics.

Download a promotional MS PowerPoint presentation for more information about M4-HYCC. Use it to promote M4-HYCC in your county! 

Current Information About the Work of this Year’s Council:

You can find out more about the current activities of the Michigan 4-H Youth Conservation Council at www.m4hycc.org

Ricky Tanis, a second year member (2007-2009) from Lapeer County talks about his M4-HYCC experience:  "When I first joined the council, I wasn’t really sure what to expect, but once I arrived, I found out that being a part of M4-HYCC was a chance to be with other teenagers like me, who want to make a difference in today’s world.  Everything we did, we worked together and helped each other out.  We would talk, work, research and of course, laugh together, making everything we did, whether in work or play, enjoyable."

Become a Council Member!

New applications for the M4-HYCC 2012-2013 program are due October 1, 2012, to the 4-H staff at your county MSU Extension office.  See application links below on this website.  If you have questions, contact Andrea Grix, M4-HYCC Coordinator, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Find out more by downloading these materials:

The dates of the M4-HYCC meetings for the 2012-13 programming year are:

  • October 20-21, 2012 adult and teen advisor meeting and training
  • December 1-2, 2012 state meeting
  • January 12-13, 2013 state meeting
  • March 9-10, 2013 state meeting

Making a Difference

M4-HYCC was created by the Michigan Senate in 1999 and is coordinated by Michigan 4-H Youth Development.  Each year M4-HYCC members select and research a current environmental issue. They interview people, listen to presentations by professionals, surf the Internet, and read books and articles on the chosen topic. Around Earth Day (April 22) each year, council members testify about their research before a Michigan legislative committee. Their intensive research and testimony have made a difference:

  1. M4-HYCC members testified for a bill introduced in 2000 (and passed in 2002) that promoted the development of the Michigan heritage water trail program.
  2. In 2003, their recommendations led to the introduction of a bill in the state Senate that directed the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to include information in its boating safety course on proper marine fueling techniques, the problems that marine fuel spills may cause to lakes and rivers, and how and where to report a marine fuel spill.
  3. In 2008, they influenced the passing of SB (senate bill) 152 and 362 by giving testimony to both the House and Senate Committees. This public policy was signed by the governor as Michigan law to significantly reduce the amounts of phosphorus permitted in dishwasher and laundry detergents.  High levels of phosphorus in Michigan lakes and rivers have had harmful effects on wildlife and people.  

We invite you to make a difference through involvement in M4-HYCC or a county-based 4-H youth conservation council!

Sponsors

M4-HYCC sponsors include:

  • Michigan 4-H Foundation
  • Dow Chemical Company Foundation

It’s a Winner!

M4-HYCC is an award-winning program! It has been awarded:

  • 2005 Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Youth Environmental Award
  • 2004 Michigan State University Extension John Hannah Award for Program Excellence
  • 2004 Sea World/Busch Gardens/Fujifilm Environmental Excellence Award
  • 2003 Michigan Senate White Pine Award for Environmental Excellence

Contact

For more information on how to get involved as a youth or volunteer, contact your county MSU Extension office or:

Andrea Grix M4-HYCC Coordinator
14901 4H Drive
Tustin, MI 49688
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Phone: 231-829-3421

News

7th annual 4-H Day at the Breslin celebrates youth development and Spartan Women’s Basketball

posted on January 11, 2012

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) 4-H Youth Development will cheer on the MSU women’s basketball team as they take on Ohio State during their Jan. 15 home game at the MSU Breslin Center. “MSUE 4-H Day at the Breslin” is a celebration of the MSUE 4-H program in Michigan.

At last – someone’s taking responsibility!

posted on September 23, 2011

4-H’s new program, "Join the Revolution of Responsibility," puts a spotlight on all those making a difference in their communities, watching over our natural resources and creating new businesses. It isn’t just politicians or public officials on the front lines of tackling these issues—it’s 4-H members throughout Michigan.

Michigan 4-H invites community to an evening in the garden

posted on July 29, 2011

Michigan 4-H Youth Development will host its first 4-H Evening in the Garden event, Tuesday, Aug. 16, as a recruitment opportunity, a chance for current 4-H’ers to showcase their projects and an occasion to present activities for hands-on participation. 

4-H Participants prepare to present environmental research to State Senate Committee

posted on April 25, 2011

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Twenty-five members of the Michigan 4-H Youth Conservation Council (M4HYCC) are finalizing their research on Michigan wetland conservation to make their way to the state Capitol, April 28.

Resources

4-H Youth Development | Agriculture Hall | 446 W. Circle Drive Room 160 | East Lansing, MI, 48824 | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)