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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!!!