Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
1/8/03
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Judy Levings, Iowa State University Extension 4H Youth Development, 515-294-4764
Carol Ouverson, Iowa State University Extension, Continuing Education
and Communication Services, 515-294-9640
Iowan to Receive National 4-H Award
AMES, Iowa -- Dan Cohen, executive director of the Buchanan County Conservation Board, will receive the National 4-H Wildlife and Fisheries Volunteer Leader Award, one of six awards given for 2002 in the United States. Cohen is the only Iowa recipient.
The award recognizes Cohen's work and experience in youth education, 4-H and USDA Extension programs. Cohen has 17 years experience leading wilderness trips for teenage youth, contributing approximately 3,500 volunteer hours, according to Joe Kurth, Iowa State University Extension 4-H Youth Development director.
"Wilderness trips present opportunities to educate youth in a myriad of ways, from natural history to ethics and problem solving," Cohen said. "I have witnessed the special personal growth in youth that results from a great sense of accomplishment, connectedness and hard work in the wilderness setting."
In addition, Cohen volunteered time in 2002 to help train other adults to be wilderness trip leaders in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The 4-H award also recognizes Cohen's contract writing for ISU Extension publications. He has authored 20 booklets for the Iowa Association of Naturalists on natural history and environmental topics (available at www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/SP21.pdf). He also wrote supplemental educational activities for the 4-H Project NEW computer program.
Through his position with the Buchanan County Conservation Board, Cohen worked with other agencies to initiate and coordinate a Buchanan County outdoor adventures program that prepares area youth for wilderness experiences, a county-wide fifth grade field day and an adult Iowa Master Conservationists program.
Cohen will receive an all-expense-paid trip to the 68th Annual North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference in Winston-Salem, N. C. in March for the award presentation. The conference agenda is posted on the Wildlife Management Institutes Web site (www.wildlifemanagementinstitute.org).
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Photo caption: Dan Cohen is the only Iowa recipient of the 2002 National 4-H Wildlife and Fisheries Volunteer Leader Award (photo by Joshua Cohen).
Photo available by contacting Carol Ouverson, couverso@iastate.edu.
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