What is WHEP? 4-H Volunteer Leaders Conference February 3, 2007 Renee Strnad NC State University – Extension Forestry Environmental Educator [email protected].

What is WHEP?

4-H Volunteer Leader’s ConferenceFebruary 3, 2007

Renee StrnadNC State University – Extension ForestryEnvironmental [email protected]

What is WHEP?

Wildlife

Habitat

Evaluation

Program

WHEP is…

….. a 4-H youth natural resource program dedicated to teaching wildlife and fisheries habitat management to junior and senior level (ages 9-19) youth in the United States 

WHEP Goals & Objectives

Teaches youth, ages 9-19, about wildlife and the management of wildlife habitats

Exposes youth to possible careers in natural resource fields

Expands their knowledge about wildlife and habitats in their area

WHEP Goals & Objectives

Fosters relationships with professional biologists and others in the community

Knowledge carries into their adult lives when WHEP participants begin voting and entering the workforce

WHEP Goals & Objectives

Creators state the program develops life skills including oral/written communication, decision making, and strengthening team skills

WHEP History

1978 - A national program that began in Tennessee as “wildlife judging”

Program expanded to other Southeastern states

1987 - Mississippi held first regional contest

WHEP History

1989 – First national event held in West Virginia

1990 – “Wildlife Judging” becomes WHEP and national contest moved to different regions

1995 – National WHEP comes to Brunswick County in North Carolina

WHEP History

1996 – WHEP earns the national Wildlife Society’s Conservation Education Award

1996 – Survey results: 712 wildlife management practices impacting 13,000 acres

WHEP History

Currently estimated that 10,000 4-H youth involved nationwide

Nationally Sponsored by:US Fish & Wildlife Service International PaperNational Rifle AssociationRocky Mountain Elk Foundation

North Carolina WHEP

Brought to NC by Dr. Ed Jones (still serves on national WHEP committee)

2003 – Sponsorship and support from the Uwharrie, Sandhills, and state chapters of Quail Unlimited (annual basis)Awards, travel to national contest

2006 – Grant from 4-H Development Fund

North Carolina WHEP

Coaches not expected to be experts on wildlife managementGuide contains the information you need to

know

Seek assistance in your community

North Carolina WHEP

Environmental Education Centers

www.eenorthcarolina.org/eecenters.htm

State Parks

http://ils.unc.edu/parkproject/ncparks.html

North Carolina WHEP

Division of Forest Resources

www.dfr.state.nc.us/

Wildlife Resources Commission

www.ncwildlife.org/

North Carolina WHEP

Two age groups: 9-13 and 14-19Junior Teams: ages 9-13

Senior Teams: ages14-19

Age on December 31 of preceding year

North Carolina WHEP

Teams consist of 3-4 members Counties can also put forth individual

competitors if not enough 4-Hers to create a team

Counties may enter as many JR and SR teams as they have participants

North Carolina WHEP

Goal – To have JR teams continue to the SR levelGreater knowledge of materialMore competitive at state and national level

Encourage non-members who are interested in wildlife/fisheries management to join 4-H

North Carolina WHEP

Advantageous to put forth a four member teamLowest score for each activity is dropped –

team score for activity is the average of top three scores for the activity

But three member teams are alright!

North Carolina WHEP

State program begins to grow in 20002000 – 3 counties, 12 youth2001 – 4 counties, 20 youth2002 – 4 counties, 29 youth2003 – 7 counties, 42 youth2004 – 8 counties, 53 youth2005 – 6 counties, 45 youth*2006 – 10 counties, 55 youth* Two counties (14 youth) canceled the day before the contest

North Carolina State Contest

State Contest, usually in April2007 contest

April 28, 2004

9am – 4:30pm

Howell Woods

Johnston County

North Carolina State Contest

Contest Day9am - Registration begins

Fun non-competitive activities for participants like mist-netting and banding songbirds, other demos

10am - Contest beginsNoon – Lunch2pm – Contest ends

North Carolina State Contest

Contest Day continued…2pm – 4pm

Volunteers assist in grading activities Youth participate in hands-on activities like hiking,

fishing, aquatic investigations, or structured wildlife programs

4:30pm Awards Ceremony

NC State Contest Activities

Four Activities Identification of wildlife foods and what

animals eat the foods

Evaluation of wildlife habitat from aerial photos

NC State Contest Activities

Four Activities continued… Identification of North Carolina wildlife species

On-site habitat management recommendations/practices

NC State Contest Activities

Again, teams work together to learn information

Activities completed individually

Team score = average of individual scores

NC State Contest Activities

AwardsTop three JR and SR teams receive awards

Top three individual JR and SR scores receive awards

All 4-Hers receive participation ribbons

Top SR team has the opportunity to represent NC at the national contest

NC State Contest Activities

Study AidsNC WHEP Learning and Activity Guide

Supplemental CD-ROM

National Contest Activities

Teams work individually on most events Come together for:

Creating and writing management plans, Urban and Rural

Oral reasoning required for aerial photo activity

WHEP – In closing

“While the competition is important, it is not thesole focus of the program. The kids are exposedto field trips and fun activities. WHEP events help participants develop critical thinking skills and theylearn how to work as a team. The kids are givenreal world situations and work together to providesolutions to natural resource problems thatmanagers face.”

- Summer Eaton, National WHEP co-chair and former WHEP national champion

So ………

Let’s Begin!!!