About the National Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP)
The Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP) is a national hands-on environmental education program that is dedicated to teaching wildlife and fisheries habitat conservation and management. WHEP provides youth the opportunity to form teams (3-4 youth) on the junior and senior level to learn and test their wildlife knowledge in a friendly competition. Youth who participate in the program learn wildlife terms and concepts, about wildlife and how to effectively manage their habitat.
Objectives
- Demonstrate their knowledge of wildlife identification and wildlife management concepts, and the biology and ecology of wildlife species
- Demonstrate the ability to recommend wildlife management practices for wildlife and their habitat
- Youth gain essential life-skills, such as decision-making, leadership, written and oral communication
Competition Information
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Rules for Senior Participants
Teams of 3-4
Teams of 3-4 individuals can form a 4-H team or FFA Team to compete in the state contest. If individuals are unable to form a team, they may compete as an individual in the Wildlife Challenge
Age Division | Senior (14-18 years)
Age is calculated as of January 1, 2023.
Contest Specifications
The South Carolina Wildlife Habitat Education State Contest for Seniors will consist of:
Activity I: Wildlife Challenge (50 points)
Activity II: On-Site Recommendations of Wildlife Management Practices (50 points)
Activity III-A: Written Wildlife Management Plan (125 points)
Activity III-B: Oral Reasons for Wildlife Management Plan (75 points)Judging
Scoring will be based off of the WHEP manual recommendations for the National Competition.
On competition day, all contestants must provide their own pencil and clipboard.
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Rules for Junior Participants
Teams of 3-4
Teams of 3-4 individuals can form a 4-H team or FFA Team to compete in the state contest. If individuals are unable to form a team, they may compete as an individual in the Wildlife Challenge
Age Division | Junior (9-13 years)
Age is calculated as of January 1, 2023.
*Only Senior Teams are eligible to compete in the National WHEP Competition.Contest Specifications
The South Carolina Wildlife Habitat Education Program State Contest for Juniors will consist of:
- Wildlife Challenge (50 points)
- Written Wildlife Management Plan (125 points)
Judging
Wildlife Challenge: Spelling errors will NOT be deducted.
Written Wildlife Management Plan: Junior Teams will have one hour to write a management plan for one species of wildlife. Juniors will write their plan using a template that will be provided.
On competition day, all contestants must provide their own pencil and clipboard.
Get in Touch
For more information about contests or additional resources, please contact Mallory or Jason.
Mallory Maher
Oconee County 4-H Agent
301 W South Broad Street
Walhalla, SC, 29691
w 864-638-5889
Jason Gore
FFA Program Assistant
135 Old Greenville Highway Suite 201
Clemson, SC 29631
843-333-9712
