Newsroom
News Releases - 2010
Summer day camps provide fun; environmental education activities for Humboldt County youth
Pacific Southwest Research Station/USDA Forest Service
Science that makes a difference. . .
Contact: Karen Pope, phone: (707) 559-6028; e-mail: kpope@fs.fed.us
Media assistance: Joe Garcia, phone: (510) 559-6427; e-mail: jagarcia@fs.fed.us
ALBANY, Calif. June 22, 2010. The city recreation programs of Arcata and Eureka are
offering several week-long camps focused on natural resources themes such as
wildlife, forestry, aquatics and fisheries, air and space, and renewable
energy. Camp participants will explore their local environment, and learn about
research and careers in natural resources. The camps are supported by a special
program sponsored by the USDA Forest Service’s Pacific Southwest (PSW) Research
Station and contributions from community partners. Spaces are still available
for most camps. To sign up for a camp in Arcata, contact the Arcata Parks and
Recreation Department at (707) 822-7091; in Eureka, contact the Recreation
Division at (707) 441-4224. The camps are for kids ages 6 to 14 and began June
21 and end August 9.
The camps received a $30,000 grant from the USDA Forest Service’s national More
Kids in the Woods cost-share program which provides $500,000 nationwide per
year to help connect kids to the natural world. The Forest Service selected 21
projects for funding from more than 130 high-quality agency proposals created
to promote environmental stewardship through innovative, hands-on activities.
Thousands of partners contribute time, energy, and resources to add $1.5
million in donations and in-kind services. Local partners include the Six
Rivers National Forest, Humboldt State University, Green Diamond, the Humboldt
Wildlife Care Center and several others. “It’s great to bring together so many
local experts in natural resources to share their knowledge and enthusiasm with
the youth of Humboldt County,” says camp coordinator and PSW Research Station
wildlife biologist, Karen Pope.
“The Forest Service continues to be a leader in conservation education and
recreation opportunities as it has been for more than a century,” says
Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA). “The national forests provide opportunities
for urban and rural kids to develop healthier lifestyles and science-based
learning experiences.”
“If we
are going to put an end to childhood obesity, we must promote healthy, active,
lifestyles and encourage our kids to get off the couch and get outside,” USDA
Secretary Tom Vilsack explains. “Our More Kids in the Woods challenge not only
promotes physical activity, it fosters environmental awareness and stewardship
among young people as we face critical environmental challenges, such as The effects of climate change. More Kids in the Woods helps kids make the
connection among healthy forests, healthy communities, and their own healthy
lifestyles.”
To learn
more about the Forest Service’s More Kids in the Woods program, please visit http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/woods/.
The Pacific Southwest Research Station/USDA Forest Service, is headquartered in Albany, California. The station develops and communicates science needed to sustain forest ecosystems and their benefits to society. It has laboratories and research centers in California, Hawaii, and the U.S.-affiliated Pacific Islands. |
