St. Lucie County 4-H realizes the importance of Florida's wetlands. A wetlands 4-H school enrichment program was developed by 4-H Agriculture Agent Susan Munyan and 4-H Program Assistant Debbie McNeill to bring appreciation and understanding of our wetlands to students. In the classroom, 4th and 5th grade students learn what a wetland is, some of the different forms of wetlands, and typical wetland plants and animals.
The program is concluded with a wetlands field trip that tests their classroom studies. Students visit several natural and man-made wetlands. Using the University of Florida produced "Aquatic Plant Identification Deck", teams of students are asked to identify plants and signs of wildlife found in the wetlands. This team approach encourages students to collectively use their wetlands knowledge.
Through classroom and hands-on experience, 795 students are to be an interactive part of the St. Lucie County 4-H wetlands program. These students will be able to determine a wetland by the plants and animals found. Students also begin to understand the significance of Florida's wetlands to the environment.