About
The first Youth Environmental Day was conducted on May 16, 1964, at Holley River State Park. Today, the event
is celebrated annually at North Bend State Park, the third Saturday in May. Hundreds of participants
annually attend. Highlighting the activities is the presentation of more than $15,000 in cash awards and
scholarships in recognition of outstanding environmental accomplishments by the youth groups enrolled in the
program.
Special guests may include the governor, the DEP cabinet secretary, representatives from several award
sponsors and dignitaries. Many exhibits are featured, including the WV Division of Forestry, West Virginia
State Parks, Raptor Rehabilitation, REAP, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Law Enforcement
featuring Eddie Eagle and Robo Deer, and many more.
Camping is available for those participants wanting to stay for the weekend. Lunch on Saturday is also
provided free to all participants.
Rick Vecellio Memorial Conservation Scholarship
This scholarship is presented to an active Youth Environmental Program member with exemplary conduct throughout his/her school years.
Recipient will receive $2,500 per year for 4 years. The scholarship is made available by the Vecellio Family Foundation, Inc., Beckley.
Winner
Carter Takarsh, Winfield Scotts 4-H, Putnam County
West Virginia Forestlands & Wood Products Art Award
These $150 awards are for art creations that promote West Virginia’s Forest Resources or wood products created from these forests.
Winner
Lilly Hershman, Sandy Pals 4-H, Preston County
Go-Mart Energy Essay Awards
The Go-Mart Corporation has provided two awards for winning essays entitled “My Action Plan to Become a Better Environmental Steward in my Home or Neighborhood."
Winners
Callie Dixon, Belleville 4-H, Wood County and Wyatt Younker, Sandy Pal’s 4-H, Preston County
Rick Vecellio Memorial Art Poster Awards
Memorial Art Poster Awards are also given for posters that depict an environmental theme. 5 winners receive $100 each - Made available by Leo Vecellio Jr.,
Beckley in memory of his mother Evelyn Vecellio.
Winners
Emily Carothers, Meadow Bridge Girl Scout Troop 31897, Fayette County
Cade Blackshire, Letart Pioneers 4-H, Mason County
Ella Grant, Midway Meridians 4-H, Putnam County
Kameron Hart, Letart Pioneers 4-H, Mason County
Karson Pigott, Belleview 4-H, Wood County
Bear Category Environmental Award
These awards are presented to youth groups completing projects that answer an environmental need, whose members are ages 12-14 years.
Winner
Sandy Pal’s 4-H, Preston County
Maple Award (Tree Planting)
The $300 Maple Award is presented to the youth group completing the best tree planting project.
Winner
Hobos Cloverbuds 4-H, Mason County
Environmental Achievement Award
The $300 Environmental Achievement award is presented to a newly enrolled youth group that has shown the most progress through participation
in community environmental projects.
Winner
Hampshire County Public Library
Litter Control Award
These awards are for the youth groups that have completed the most successful litter clean-up projects.
Winner
Haer Bears 4-H, Mason County
Gov. Jim Justice Beautification Award
Youth Beautification Award is presented to the youth group that completes the most outstanding job of community litter prevention, clean-up and beautification.
Winner
Wyoming East High Friends of the Earth Club, Wyoming County
Mountain Laurel Category Environmental Awards
Mountain Laurel Category recognizes youth groups that have completed projects addressing an
environmental need, whose members are ages 6-11.
Winner
Letart Pioneers 4-H, Mason County
Keep West Virginia Beautiful Award
The Keep West Virginia Beautiful Award is presented for the most outstanding litter prevention project conducted for a school.
Winner
Slanesville Community Garden, Hampshire County
Recycling Award
The Recycling Awards are presented to youth groups with the best overall recycling projects.
Winner
Regional Youth Services Center, Hardy County
DEP Cabinet Sec. Harold Ward Brook Trout Kindergarten Award
This $200 award is presented to the Kindergarten group that completes the most outstanding environmental projects.
Winner
Green Bank Public Library, Pocahontas County
Mountain State Award of Excellence Environmental Project
This $500 award is for clubs that have won first place the last two years in the Mountain Laurel, Bear and Rhododendron categories and previous Mountain
State Award of Excellence winners only.
Winner
Girl Scout Troop 1895, Fayette County
Recycling Education and Awareness Award
Education and Awareness awards are given to the youth groups with the best community recycling education and awareness project based on club and
community involvement.
Winner
Clover Stems 4-H, Putnam County
District Coordinator Awards
These awards are given to youth groups in each of the six districts in recognition of their overall community environmental efforts. Each winner received $200.
Winners
- District 1: No winner
- District 2: North Fork 4-H Club, Pendleton County
- District 3: Deer Creek Defenders 4-H Club, Pocahontas County
- District 4: Meadow Bridge Clovers 4-H Club, Fayette County
- District 5: Friends of Nichols Environmental Club, Cabell County
- District 6: Arvilla Wide Awakes 4-H Club, Pleasants County
Wildlife Management Award
This $300 award is presented to youth group completing a wildlife management project that encompass food, water and cover for West Virginia's wildlife,
especially during the winter months.
Winner
Belleville 4-H, Wood County
Streams and Trails Award
The Streams and Trails Awards go to the youth groups that have shown the most effort in cleaning a stream and/or building or maintaining a trail.
Winner
Martinsburg High School Ecology Club, Berkeley County
Save Our Streams Award
This $300 award is given to the youth group whose project(s) meets the goals of the Save Our Streams (SOS) Program, which are increasing West Virginia's ability to
monitor the quality of state rivers and streams and enhancing public awareness of the need for their protection.
Winner
Leading Creek Elementary, Lewis County
Rhododendron Environmental Award
The Rhododendron Awards are presented to youth groups completing projects that answer an environmental need, whose members are ages 15 years and older.
Winner
Boy Scout Troop 32, Hampshire County
Watershed Protection Award
This $300 award is given to the youth group that shows the most effort in watershed protection, education and community awareness.
Winner
Appalachian Expeditions, Tucker County
Environmental Education Award
The Environmental Education Award is presented to the youth group that has completed the most outstanding work in environmental education by creating public awareness on environmental issues.
Winner
Valley Livestock 4-H, Randolph County
Plastic Recycling Award
These awards are presented to the youth groups having completed the most exceptional project(s) that integrate recycling a variety of plastics.
Winner
Busy 4’s 4-H, Mason County
REAP Adopt-A-Highway Award
This $200 award is presented to the youth group with an Adopt-A-
Highway/Adopt-A-Spot that has been maintained with three reported
cleanups.
Winner
Morristown Mountaineers 4-H, Wirt County
REAP Recycling Video Award
This award was created for those youth groups wishing to step up their
involvement in environmental activities by creating a Recycling and/or
Clean-up Video Presentation.
Winner
Teens for Change, Kanawha County