Forest Youth Success

Despite living in a county that is about 90 percent forested, many Skamania County youth have few linkages to and little knowledge of the surrounding forest. With changing economies, youth also have few employment opportunities nor many chances to develop job experience. Additionally constrained resources, forest managers and communities need help completing projects that benefit the health of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. These three challenges make this forest youth program a success for Skamania County!

Skamania County young adults employed by FYS Program learn-by-doing. WSU 4H Challenge programs create a safe, hands-on learning environment that achieve the following goals for the program:

(1) teach the fundamentals of forest ecology and forest health management

(2) Enhance and develop positive life skills to increase employability (self confidence, communication, teamwork, group problem solving)

(3)Develop a sense of responsibility for the forest and Skamania County communities

(4) Achieve infrastructure and ecosystem management objectives on the south end of the GPNF and nearby communities

(5) Provide basic job skills while earning a minimum wage stipend to participating youth and employ local adults as crew leaders

For more information contact
Amy Burtelow, Program Coordinator, Stevenson High School, 509-427-5631 or 360-772-6370
Sally Mansur WSU Skamania County Extension 4-H mansur@co.skamania.wa.us 509.427.3932