Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** the university of california and…

Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** the university of california and university of maryland eastern shore 4-h sustainable community project will implement and evaluate resilientroots, a program for ages 10-14 that helps young people connect with their local environment and take part in practical projects that benefit their neighborhoods. Using locally based learning materials, participants will explore nearby outdoor places, study local environmental issues, and plan and carry out service learning projects that strengthen community readiness. California sites include sonoma, SAN diego, and SAN mateo counties; maryland sites include somerset, wicomico, and worcester counties. These locations are coastal communities that are sensitive to coastal hazards and weather-related conditions. Projects will integrate: 1) collaborations with locally based organizations to support youth in making positive impacts where they live, learn, work, and play; 2) technology, including mapping tools such as GIS, or other platforms to explore environmental data, and artificial intelligence tools to enhance service learning projects; and 3) long-term viability by cultivating the skills of educators, partner sites, and institutions. By participating, youth are expected to demonstrate increased locally relevant scientific knowledge, technological skills, meaningful connections with peers and mentors, and confidence to address community issues.