4-H Forestry - Using Nature-Based Programming to Enhance Positive Youth Development Outcomes - Amy Langa

Oct 15, 2026

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International Journal of the Whole Child 2024 article examines how educators intentionally apply positive youth development (PYD) practices in nature to respond to the youth mental health crisis in the United States. Focusing on relationships, belonging, and supportive challenge, the program is evaluated as high quality by youth and parents. Outcomes include a growth mindset, hopeful purpose, openness to challenge, increased interest in science college and career opportunities, and strong reported inspiration to spend more time in nature.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages18

Reading Time45 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction: A Mental Health Crisis

The 4-H Thriving Model: The Role of Positive Youth Development

The Healing Power of Nature

20 International Journal of the Whole Child 2024, VOL. 9, NO. 1 4-H Forestry: Using Nature-Based Programming to Enhance Positive Youth Development Outcomes Amy Langa aUniversity of Maryland Amy Lang is a career educator who has facilitated programming in various settings and content fields. Amy has taught at every level of our public schools; elementary, middle, and high; and has worked with all ages in state and local parks conducting environmental education programming such as summer camps and family fun events. Amy also worked in Baltimore, and overseas in Malawi, Africa facilitating train the trainer sessions aimed at preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS. Since 2019, Amy has served as a 4-H Youth Development Educator with the University of Maryland Extension, designing and facilitating programs encouraging nature exploration and environmental science. She leads state-wide forestry, aquaculture, and pollinator programs. Amy also serves as a Thriving PYD Champion for MD 4-H. Amy is a lifelong learner and educator; and is eager to share this passion for education, particularly nature-based environmental education. Abstract Concerned with the ongoing youth mental crisis in the United States, researchers intentionally planned for positive youth development (PYD) practices in nature. Educators, appreciating the critical importance of youth developing relationships and a sense of belonging, may regard this model as a powerful tool to enhance existing programs. Both youth and parents report this as a high quality PYD program, resulting in thriving youth. Youth participants feel welcome, supportively challenged, and passionate about the topic; resulting in a growth mindset, hopeful purpose, and openness to challenge and discovery. The program inspired an affinity for nature in both youth participants and associated adults. 97% of youth and 95% of adult caregivers report being inspired to spend more time in nature as a result of the program. The program also inspired increased youth interest in science college and career opportunities. Introduction: A Mental Health Crisis For more than a decade, youth in the United States continue to experience a mental health crisis (Abrams, 2023) .“National surveys show major increases in certain mental health symptoms, including depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation in youth. From 2009 to 2019, the proportion of high school students reporting persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness increased by 40%(Children and Nature Network, 2023); the share seriously considering attempting suicide increased by 36%; and the share creating a suicide plan increased by 44% . 21 Between 2007 and 2018, suicide rates among youth have increased by 57%”(Office of the Surgeon General, 2021, p.8) . This mental crisis was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Forty-two percent of highschool students in 2021 reported feeling so sad or hopeless for at least two consecutive weeks in the previous year that they stopped engaging in their usual activities, an increase from 26 percent in 2009 (Stone, 2023) . In June, 2020, Czeisler et al. found • symptoms of anxiety disorder were approximately three times those reported in the second quarter of 2019 (25.5% versus 8.1%) . • prevalence of depression was approximately four times that reported in the second quarter of 2019 (24.3% versus 6.5%) . • suicidal ideation was approximately twice the rate seen in 2018 (10.7% versus 4.3%) . The 4-H Thriving Model: The Role of Positive Youth Development Consistently, 4-H programs are grounded in positive youth development (PYD) . This foundation perceives that youth are not problems to be solved; rather, they are powerful members of society with energy and passions that can be channeled to benefit both the youth themselves and the community at large. Youth are regarded as powerful assets. For the last century, 4-H staff has worked to develop programs that will help youth thrive. To enhance consis

FAQs

What is the central purpose of the nature-based PYD program described in the article?

The program uses nature and PYD practices to support youth thriving by strengthening relationships, belonging, and supportive challenge.

How do youth and caregivers evaluate the quality of the program?

Both youth and parents report the program as high quality, describing participants as feeling welcome, supportively challenged, and engaged.

What changes did participants report after taking part in the program?

Ninety-seven percent of youth and 95% of adult caregivers reported being inspired to spend more time in nature, alongside increased interest in science education and career opportunities.

Oct 15, 2026

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