Jefferson County 4-H Teens traveled to Franklin County to participate in the 4-H District III Council Meeting/Retreat on April 7, 2018. The retreat began at the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve. Teens were given a guided tour of the facilities by Erik Lovestrand, Franklin County Extension Director/Regional Specialized Sea Grant Agent. They enjoyed a variety of educational, interactive and live exhibits at the state-of-the-art Nature Center. The Aquariums highlight a connected watershed message and local fauna from the river, estuary, bay, and gulf. Other exhibits depict the ecological, cultural and historical aspects of the region.

The teens participated in a beach clean-up service project and collected lots of trash. After the service project, the 4-H District Council Business Meeting was held at the estuarine. President, Allison Parker from Jefferson County presided over the meeting and covered all agenda items.

After the business meeting, the teens participated in the oyster bar animal ID activity. The teens opened oyster shells and identified pyramids snails, mud crabs, porcelain crabs, bristle worms, oyster springtails, and amphipods. Allison Parker said, “I never thought that just a little clump of oysters could provide shelter to so many kinds of animals.”

Jefferson County 4-H Teens had an awesome time in Franklin County learning about Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve, exploring coastal habitat, and a having successful 4-H Business Meeting.

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