Tag Archives: Environment

Virginia 4-H Wildlife Team wins national championship

The Augusta County WHEP Team

The Virginia 4-H WHEP Team practices at an Augusta County wetlands site with engineer Paul Julian (far right). Team members (from left to right): Katie Fenneran, Trube Short, Meredith Persinger, and Mark Persinger.

These students really know their wildlife. This past summer the Virginia 4-H Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP) Team, made up of four high school students, placed first in the country after competing in the 2011 National WHEP Invitational just west of Little Rock, Ark.

All four team members were from Augusta County and were coached by Jennifer Mercer, a former 4-H Extension agent. Team members included

  • Katie Fenneran;
  • Mark Persinger;
  • Meredith Persinger; and
  • Trube Short.

The team won the Virginia contest in April along with the right to represent the state at the National Invitational on July 26. Continue reading →

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Posted in 4-H Youth Development, Agriculture and Natural Resources | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Helping fish farms adapt green technology

Rising energy costs are significant concern for fish farmers, especially in the winter months when heating the hundreds of thousands of gallons of water circulating through their fish tanks.  Extension specialists at the Virginia Seafood Agriculture Research and Extension Center in Norfolk, Va. are helping fish farmers adapt sustainable and energy efficient technology, saving farmers money and helping the environment.  Read more in the Virginia Marine Sciences Bulletin.

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Master Naturalist Program Receives Environmental Award

Virginia Master Naturalist Program LogoThe Virginia Master Naturalist Program, a multi-agency initiative based in Virginia Tech’s College of Natural Resources and Environment, received a 2011 Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award.

The annual awards program recognizes the significant contributions of environmental and conservation leaders across the commonwealth.

“We are very proud of the Virginians in these private, nonprofit, and government entities who have demonstrated the innovation and dedication to improve our environment and make the lives of their fellow Virginians better,” Gov. Bob McDonnell remarked about all of the award recipients. Learn more.

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