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What-er you doing about water conservation?
Ben Sims
Ben Sims

Water is an important resource that can be easily taken for granted. You turn the faucet on, and out the water comes. What’s there to really worry about? However, concerns related to aquifer depletion, drought and supply, water quality, and infrastructure decay surround the topic of water in Kansas.

For these reasons, educating and developing a new generation of water conservation minded young adults is important. The Water Resources Department of the City of Hays and K-State Extension recognize the need of educating our communities about being water conservation minded, and growing future water conservation leaders in the process. That’s where the 4-H Water Ambassador program comes in.

The 4-H Water Ambassador program is a leadership opportunity for teens 13 years of age and older, focusing on the importance of water quality, water conservation, and water careers. It is a project for teens in the Cottonwood Extension District, which consists of Barton and Ellis counties. The program is open to all teens in the designated age range, not just 4-H members.

If selected, the first step is to attend two training sessions. Our team of trained teens will return to their communities and lead other young people in water educational activities through various events throughout the year. Applications can be found on the Cottonwood Extension District website, or please feel free to reach out to 4-H Agents Ben Sims or JoAnn Gaunt, or City of Hays Water Conservation Specialist, Holly Dickman. They would be happy to provide you with the application. Applications and a letter of recommendation are due Oct. 1 to either of the two Cottonwood Extension District offices. Interviews will be held in November via Zoom.

We would love to have you join the team, and please feel free to share with any teens that you think would be interested in applying!

For more information on 4-H Youth Development or K-State Extension call 620-793-1910, email 4-H Agent Ben Sims at benjam63@ksu.edu, or stop by the Great Bend office at 3007 10th St. Be sure to follow K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood Extension District Facebook page and check the website cottonwood.k-state.edu for the most up-to-date information about Extension programming.