Wildlife Habitat Evaluation ProgramS. Nicole Frey, Ben C. West,

David Drake

What is the Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program

4-H program designed to teach young people:

– wildlife management– conservation– leadership– communication– stewardship

WHEP

One of the most visible 4-H programsacross the NationConducted at local, state, regional andnational levels

Began in the 1980s as a state 4-H program in Tennessee.

Young adults 14-18 years of age

Involvement

• Won Wildlife Society’s Conservation Education award in 1996

• 21 states involved

• 100 youth per state

• Teaching our future

leaders

Identifying Common Wildlife Foods

Practices to Improve Wildlife Habitat

Interpreting Wildlife Habitat

• aerial photos• oral explanation

Rural Management Plan

• Interpreting Wildlife Habitat

Urban Management Plan

• Interpreting Wildlife Habitat

New Places, New People

The Process 1. Teams 2. Local

3. State

4. Region

5. Nation

Lessons Learned

• 16 states participated in a survey at last year’s National Competition

• 21 teams per year at National Competition

• Coaches had been involved for 7.5 years

• Had been coaches for 7 years

Lessons Learned

• 100 participants annually

• Youth pursued NR management careers

• Coaches involved because: important learning opportunity for youth, their own children were involved, enjoyed wildlife and wanted to share this enthusiasm

Impacts

• Teamwork • Improved oral communications • Improved written communications• Interpersonal/social skills • Decision making • Leadership skills

Impacts• Youth feel it improved their

understanding of conservation and management

• Enjoyed meeting new people from different places

• Improves knowledge of their country

• Helped understanding of what happens in the world