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Wildlife & Habitat
What is it all about?
In this project area, you will learn about the different types of wildlife groups, their habitat needs, conservation, and interactions between humans and wildlife.
Wildlife | Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP) | Hunting | Forestry
Grow in Your Project
Beginner
- Get to know the types of native wildlife in Wisconsin
- Investigate wildlife by observing birds, mammals, reptiles, fish, or amphibians
- Learn about habitats where different wildlife live
- Choose an animal to research and share what you learned with others
- Learn about Wisconsin’s endangered species
Intermediate
- Explore animal adaptations for living in their environments
- Visit a nature center and learn more about wildlife in that area
- Learn about reasons and ways to protect endangered species
- Find out about invasive species and how they affect native wildlife
Advanced
- Use scientific tools and data to measure changes in a wildlife habitat over time
- Compare different wildlife habitats
- Investigate an environmental issue affecting the health of a wildlife species and its habitat
- Research and produce and action plan to improve a wildlife habitat in your area
Member Resources
Wildlife & Water Habitats Curriculum
1 level (grades 6-8)
Wildlife Science Curriculum
3 levels (grades 3-12)
4-H Natural Resources Curriculum
3 levels (grades 3-12)
At the Interface between Livestock and Predators Curriculum
1 level (grades 3-12)
Forestry Project Curriculum
3 levels (grades 3-12)
Free Downloads & Resources
- Wildlife Conservation Activities
- Environmental Education for Kids (EEK) (activities from Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources)
- WHEP Study Materials (from Purdue Extension)
Project Leader Resources
Wildlife & Water Habitats
4-H Volunteer Guide
1 level (grades 6-8)
Wildlife Science Helper’s Guide
3 level (grades 3-12)
Forestry Project Helper’s Guide
3 levels (grades 3-12)
Free Downloads & Resources
- Wildlife Conservation Activities
- Environmental Education for Kids (EEK) (activities from Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources)
- Wildlife and Forestry Educational Kits (kits from Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education)
- Nature Watch (activities from U.S. Forest Service)
- All About Birds (online guide from Cornell Ornithology Lab)
- National 4-H WHEP (Wildlife Habitat Education Program)
- National 4-H Forestry
Statewide Events and Opportunities
Wildlife WHEP Wisconsin 4-H (Wildlife Habitat Education Program) & Wisconsin 4-H Forestry
WHEP Overview: Wildlife WHEP Wisconsin 4-H & Wisconsin 4-H Forestry offers hands-on learning activities, workshops, wildlife/forestry contests, art contests, and community service activities as opportunities of learning for 4-H members and their families. Competition is open to all 4-H youth members in grades 3 through 13.The activities are led by 4-H youth leaders and 4-H adult volunteer leaders.
WHEP Goals: Our goal is to provide an opportunity for youth to gain valuable forestry and wildlife knowledge, develop life skills, provide new experiences, and career opportunity related information. Other goals are to recruit and train youth/adult 4-H volunteer leaders and encourage family participation in natural science activities. More time outdoors means more fun.
Note: Participation in Wildlife WHEP Wisconsin 4-H & Wisconsin 4-H Forestry activities are open to all enrolled Wisconsin 4-H club members interested in wildlife and forestry. You can be enrolled in any 4-H project and participate in the activities.
4-H Wildlife & Forestry Competition
This statewide competition features wildlife and forestry opportunities. In wildlife, an ecoregion, listed species of critters, foods, and management practices are used each year. In forestry, it is about tree ID, forestry management practices, measurements, tree diseases, orienteering, topographic maps, and more. In both, youth will learn about wildlife connection to urban/rural trees and the forest.
Audience: Grades 3-13
4-H Wildlife & Forestry Art Contest
Display your wildlife or forestry art items at the April Art contest. Go on the website and look over the “Art” registration forms where there are 18 different categories in 3 age divisions. Club and county wildlife & forestry art contests are encouraged. We can help you organize it.
Audience: Grades 3-13
“Special Thanks” are extended to the following for making the “Wildlife WHEP Wisconsin 4-H” & “Wisconsin 4-H Forestry” programs, possible: Wisconsin Chapter of National Wild Turkey Federation, Mad City Gobblers; Wildlife WHEP Wisconsin & Wisconsin 4-H Forestry Friends; Wildlife WHEP Wisconsin 4-H & Forestry – Washington County; Washington County (Hartford Chapter) Whitetails Unlimited; Northern Kettle Moraine Chapter of Whitetails Unlimited; Wildlife WHEP Wisconsin 4-H & Wisconsin 4-H Forestry State Committee Members.
Advisor: Carlea Liermann, Calumet County 4-H Program Educator.
For more information, contact Norb and Barb Yogerst at wi4hwildlifeforestry@gmail.com.
Images on this page courtesy of UW-Madison Division of Extension and National 4-H Council.
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