What if we could spark a love of nature that lasts a lifetime—one field trip, one journal entry, one wild discovery at a time?
That’s the goal behind the Florida Youth Naturalist Program Instructor Field Guide, a thoughtfully updated curriculum from UF/IFAS Extension in partnership with Florida 4-H and the Florida Master Naturalist Program. Designed for youth ages 10–13, this refreshed edition continues to invite young learners to explore Florida’s rich natural world, starting from the upland pine forests and following the journey of a single drop of rain, named Billie, all the way to the sea.
A Curriculum Designed to Connect Kids with Nature
The 10-lesson guide weaves together ecology, conservation, and life skills into a hands-on learning experience that’s anything but ordinary. Youth discover the roles plants and animals play in ecosystems, investigate real habitats, create their own field journals, and build models, all while gaining critical thinking, teamwork, and communication skills.
This is more than just science—it’s personal growth through nature connection. The program follows the 4-H “learn-by-doing” philosophy, ensuring kids are active participants, not just passive learners. Whether they’re tracking animals, analyzing habitats, or leading service-learning projects in their community, youth come away with a deeper understanding of their environment and their role within it.
Each chapter focuses on a major Florida ecosystem—uplands, freshwater, and coastal—and includes ready-to-use lesson plans, activities, journaling prompts, and field trip ideas for educators. Instructors don’t need to be experts in ecology; the guide provides background materials, safety considerations, and suggestions for inviting guest speakers like Master Naturalist volunteers.
Who Is This Guide For?
In a world where time spent outdoors is shrinking, this guide is a much-needed bridge between science education and environmental stewardship. It’s a perfect fit for 4-H clubs, after-school programs, nature camps, homeschool enrichment, or classroom projects that benefit from hands-on, outdoor learning and cross-curricular exploration.
Learn more or get your copy at the UF/IFAS Bookstore.
Let’s empower the next generation of Floridians to see, wonder, and protect the wild places that make our state so unique.
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