4-H Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program

WHEP

 

 

 

 

Do you live in Florida?
Are you between the ages of 8 and 19?
Are you interested in learning more about wildlife and their habitats?

If so, the Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program (WHEP) might be just the thing for you. This is a program designed to teach youth about the fundamentals of wildlife management. You will see how management for wildlife means management of habitats and providing for the needs of wildlife both in urban and rural settings. In addition to increasing your knowledge of wildlife management concepts, the handbook and activities in this program also help to develop skills that students can apply to real-life situations.

The 5 activities in WHEP contests are:

  1. Identify common foods for several wildlife species;
  2. Interpret habitat characteristics (rivers, lakes, fields, forests, etc.) in aerial photographs and also compare the value of those habitats for certain wildlife species (this entails learning the habitat needs of all wildlife in Florida so you are prepared for the contest--this info is all in the WHEP study manual);
  3. Prescribe appropriate wildlife management practices for different situations. [For instance, a landowner wants to attract wild turkeys, American kestrels and rabbits. You are given a description of the current condition of the land and you must recommend which wildlife management practice(s) to apply so the land will attract the desired wildlife species.]
  4. Develop a rural wildlife management plan;
  5. Develop an urban wildlife management plan.

Read more about WHEP in our publication, "4-H Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program (WHEP): Learn about wildlife ecology and management." The first version to appear will be the HTML version. To view the best layout, click in the upper right hand corner of the screen where it says "Printer Friendly Version" and "PDF."

4H Clover Visit this link to find out more about the National WHEP program.

Also, contact your local county 4-H agent to inquire about the state-level WHEP program in your area. If there is not already a group involved in this program in your county, ask your agent how you can start one.

You can also contact Mark Hostetler, the state coordinator of this program, for more information.

 


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