Authors: Laurie Thomas, Matthew Springer, Ph.D, and Ashley Osborne

Collaborators: Stacy White, Whitley County Cooperative Extension Service, Eric Comley Garrard County Cooperative Extension Service, Dr. Steve Price FNR University of Kentucky, United Trappers of Kentucky, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, USDA Wildlife Services KY/TN, WHEP National Planning Committee

The University of Kentucky’s Forestry and Natural Resources Extensions Team and 4-H Natural Resources Ashley Osborne co-hosted the National 4-H / FFA Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program Competition in July 2022. The national contest was held at the Feltner 4-H Camp in London, KY. There were 11 states and 17 teams competing in the three-day event. The states competing included Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah.  

A total of 73 high school youth learned about Kentucky’s wildlife resources, tested their skills and knowledge in a variety of contests including Wildlife Challenge, Recommendation for Wildlife Management Practices, Written Management Plan and Oral Presentation and Reasoning for Management Plan. The first day of the program was designed to introduce the students and coaches to the wildlife resources, tools and potential career options within the field of wildlife biology. The guest instructors included:

1. United Trappers of Kentucky covering wildlife trapping techniques
2. Dr. Steve Price covering reptiles and amphibians and their management
3. Zak Danks, Turkey and Grouse biologist for Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources covering forest and turkey management and careers within state agencies
4. USDA Wildlife Services personnel covering wildlife damage management and federal wildlife careers

The morning education program was followed up with learn to fish opportunities at the camp lake with Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources aiding in this event.

The contest began on the second day of the event. During the contest, coaches and chaperones were provided an educational field trip to learn about the states natural resources. Several UK Cooperative Extension agents from nearby counties aided in the logistics of conducting the competition as well as providing as assisting with the field trip to Natural Bridge State Park and the Kentucky Reptile Zoo.