By Staff Report
Holmes County 4-H partners each year with the Florida Forest Service to promote Arbor Day and highlight the importance of caring for our natural resources. While Florida celebrates Arbor Day in January, National Arbor Day will be observed on Friday, April 24, providing another opportunity to recognize the importance of trees and conservation efforts nationwide.
Through this ongoing collaboration, youth gain knowledge about fire safety, wildfire prevention, and their role as responsible environmental stewards. In addition to environmental education, 4-H programming emphasizes the development of life skills such as responsibility, teamwork, and decision-making, while also introducing youth to potential career opportunities in forestry, natural resources, and related fields.
This year, members of the 4-H Cloverbuds program had the opportunity to participate in a special educational visit featuring Smokey Bear alongside Florida Forest Service foresters. Youth engaged in age-appropriate, hands-on activities that reinforced key messages about forest health and fire prevention, and they also planted a bald cypress as part of their Arbor Day experience.
Holmes County 4-H extended thanks to the Florida Forest Service for their continued partnership and commitment to educating youth and supporting conservation efforts in our community.
Coordinators shared that programs like these help instill a lifelong appreciation for conservation while empowering young people to make informed decisions that protect Florida’s forests and natural resources for generations to come.
For more information about Holmes County 4-H, visit HolmesCounty4H.com or call 850-547-1108.
GARETT VALCOURT 