Local junior naturalists earn state badge, certification

Kyra and Kaylin Hauber, 10, of Newton went above and beyond this summer to earn their 2016 Iowa Junior Naturalist badge and certificate.

The Junior Naturalist program is offered every year for kids, ages 6 to 12, to encourage them to experience, and share with adults, programs offered by local county conservation boards, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, local libraries, nature centers, YMCA camps, 4-H or any other programs with a nature theme. In addition, it encourages participants to work on independent activities.

The requirements to earn a Junior Naturalist award are to attend three public programs and complete two independent activities, including reading a nature book, fishing, hunting, camping, biking, hiking, etc.

Kyra and Kaylin attended summer camps offered by Jasper County Conservation and the Newton YMCA, and they both reported about their own wildlife observation experiences. They each earned the embroidered 2016 Iowa Junior Naturalist patch and a signed certificate.

For more information about Junior Naturalists, contact Katie Cantu at the JCCB office at 641-792-9780.