• By April Bowman
• Posted Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP) Team Places Nationally

WHEP is a 4-H and FFA youth natural resource program dedicated to teaching wildlife and fisheries habitat management to junior and senior level (ages 8-19) youth in the United States.

Studying a science-based manual, participants:

• Learn wildlife terms and concepts
• Learn about wildlife habitat
• Learn how to judge the quality of wildlife habitat
• Learn about wildlife habitat management practices
• Learn about wildlife damage management

The WHEP is a hands-on environmental education program. WHEP also provides participants an opportunity to test their wildlife knowledge in a friendly competition, as each state supporting WHEP conducts an annual contest where teams of 3-4 similarly aged individuals gather. The winning senior (14-19 years of age) WHEP team from each state earns the right to attend the annual National WHEP Contest, typically held the last full week of July. The national contest moves to a different state each year. In 1996 WHEP was awarded the Conservation Education Award by The Wildlife Society; which is the only professional organization that certifies wildlife biologists nationwide.

WHEP is a 4-H and FFA youth natural resource program dedicated to teaching wildlife and fisheries habitat management to junior and senior level (ages 8-19) youth in the United States.

Studying a science-based manual, participants:

• Learn wildlife terms and concepts
• Learn about wildlife habitat
• Learn how to judge the quality of wildlife habitat
• Learn about wildlife habitat management practices
• Learn about wildlife damage management

The WHEP is a hands-on environmental education program. WHEP also provides participants an opportunity to test their wildlife knowledge in a friendly competition, as each state supporting WHEP conducts an annual contest where teams of 3-4 similarly aged individuals gather. The winning senior (14-19 years of age) WHEP team from each state earns the right to attend the annual National WHEP Contest, typically held the last full week of July. The national contest moves to a different state each year.

The 2016 Contest was held in Canaan Valley, West Virginia The team placed 7th overall.

Pictured: Jacob Kline, Lily Knepp, Hope Arrowood, Alex Arrowood