Events

4-H Exploration Days

Date: June 19, 2013 - June 21, 2013
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.

Michigan 4-H Youth Conservation Council

2012 M4-HYCC Senate Presentation

Become a Council Member!

Work with other teens to provide important leadership for conserving Michigan’s natural resources!

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.

Find out more by downloading these materials:

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! 

    Information About the Work of the Council:

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

    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.”


    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. 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.  
    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. 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.

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

    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:

    Darren Bagley
    605 N. Saginaw St.; Suite 1A

    Flint, MI 48502

    Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
    Phone: 810-244-8515

    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)