Stewards VISTA: Freshwaters Illustrated - UT Year 2

The University of Tennessee Extension is the outreach and engagement arm of the land grant university. We are partnering with Freshwaters Illustrated to equip K-12 teachers and Tennessee 4-H Agents with curriculum and hands-on learning opportunities for youth to prepare them for careers in natural resources fields. UT Extension has over 1400 faculty and staff across the state and an office in each of the 95 counties, acting as a front door to the university for communities across the state. Our mission for improving the lives of Tennesseans through education aligns with the motivations of Freshwaters Illustrated to provide high-quality educational opportunities for youth through their Water Teachers program.

The overall goals include 1) ensuring youth in rural and under-resourced communities are exposed to career opportunities in natural resource management, conservation, watershed science, and other natural resources fields, 2) involving and empowering Southern Appalachian residents and youth to act towards environmental stewardship in their communities, and 3) developing volunteers in targeted communities to promote and help execute program activities.

This program would be attractive to a VISTA member hoping to make real impacts with youth and communities towards enhancing environmental stewardship. The VISTA would have the opportunity to be involved with community outreach, curriculum development, direct instruction, teacher trainings, and community development. There would be many opportunities for professional development as well as networking and building relationships with allied organizations.

The AmeriCorps VISTA member will build capacity and develop sustainable solutions to alleviate poverty in underserved communities.