Minnesota Operation: Military KidsExtension > Youth Development > Minnesota 4-H > Projects > Shooting Sports & Wildlife > Water/Wetlands
Water/Wetlands Project
Wetlands are important! They store water and help prevent flooding. Minnesota originally had 18.6 million acres of wetlands that provided water for birds, fish, and other wildlife. Only half of these wetlands remain. Learn about these ecosystems and how to protect water quality, and the lives that depend on the state's wetlands - including our own.
State & regional events
To view county or local club events, visit the county website.
Shooting Sports & Wildlife Leader Certification
Shooting Sports & Wildlife instructors must be certified. This is a weekend training designed to cover the needed knowledge and rules to become a certified instructor in one discipline: Archery, Muzzleloading, Shotgun, Air Rifle/Air Pistol/.22 Rifle, Wildlife and Coordinator. It covers life skills, state regulations, and content skills needed for each of the six disciplines. More info.
Minnesota State Fair
4-H plays a pivotal role in youth development and public education at the Minnesota State Fair. Over 7,000 4-H youth have the opportunity to interact with the public and educate fairgoers through 4-H exhibits, demonstrations, performances, and 4-H promotion. More info.
Water/Wetlands Project resources
- Phosphorus: Transport to and Availability in Surface Waters
- Helpful Hydrogels
(1.3 MB PDF) - Environmental Science Career Guide (2.7 MB PDF)
- EYE (Exploring your Environment) curriculum (Find this in the 4-H Mall)
Project leader resources
Traveling Trash Trunks
Three 30-minute lessons focus on the topics of garbage, resource recovery, landfills, and groundwater. Traveling Trash Trunks are filled with curriculum ideas, hands-on activities, books, music, and videos. These interactive, comprehensive lessons are designed for youth ages 5-12. Trash Trunks are loaned out at no charge. Call Ramsey or Washington County to arrange to borrow a Trash Trunk.
Ramsey County: 1-651-266-1194
Washington County: 1-651-430-6655
Other online resources
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Defenders of Wildlife
- Fishing in Minnesota
(Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources) - U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
- Parks & Trails TV - Minnesota
- MinnAqua DNR fishing education
- News from the University of Minnesota Dept. of Fisheries, Wildlife, & Conservation Biology
- Colorado 4-H Sportfishing Library
- Developmental stages of fish in 3D (University of Washington)
- Fish posters of the world
- American Sport Fishing Association
- National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
4-H Youth record keeping
Project evaluation
- Water/wetlands evaluation sheet (40 K PDF)
