Wildlife WHEP & Forestry Home
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.
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.
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.
Resources: The nationally recognized 4-H Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP) & 4-H
Forestry Manuals are used as the basic teaching tools. The manuals and reference information
are available online for Wildlife website and Forestry website. A condensed selection of topics is available. Use local and state website/resources are recommended.
Wildlife & Forestry Contests: The statewide competition is held in April each year. 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 connections to urban/rural trees and the forest. Contact us regarding contest preparation material There are 3 age divisions. Individual & team registration forms are on the website. Four member teams are selected for national participation in the WHEP & Forestry Contests. Older youth can participate one time in each contest in your 4-H career. Study guides are available. It is highly recommended to participate in a contest to learn about the contest process.
Wildlife & Forestry Art Contests: 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. Mail in the registration form now. Club and county wildlife & forestry art contests are encouraged. We can help you organize it.
“Backyard & Back 40” Wildlife Activities: Wildlife WHEP WI 4-H and Wisconsin 4-H Forestry
will provide your county with resources on the following activities:
- Habitats & Foods Forest, Prairie, Wetlands, & Urban
- Wildlife ID, Viewing Wildlife & Camera Hunting
- Backyard Birds, Migrating Land Birds, & Bird Watching
- Building Butterfly & Rain Gardens
- Milkweed & Monarch Butterfly Project
- Purple Loosestrife Beetle Growing Program
- Building Bat Houses
- Pollinator Habitat Improvement
- Upland Bird Habitats
- Water & Riparian Area Improvements
- Tree Management, Planting A Renewable Resource, & Recreation
- Maps, Topography, Compass, GPS, & Geocaching
- Wildlife & Forestry Art
- 14. Forestry – Tree Identification & Measurements
- Seasons for Wildlife & Trees
Backyard & Back 40 “Kit-To-Go” Activity Boxes: There are 15 different Backyard & Back 40
wildlife & forestry related programs. Each program offers many different hands-on educational
opportunities for kids and adults of all ages. Programs can be presented by your own 4-H youth & adult leaders. We’ll provide the instructions for you to build your own 4-H Club “Kit-To-Go” hands-on activity boxes. Email: wi4hwildlifeforestry@gmail.com Request “Kit-To-Go” boxes.
Statewide County 4-H Activities: Wildlife WHEP WI 4-H & Wisconsin 4-H Forestry committee members do age specific hands-on activities for county 4-H programs each year. Typically, there are 20-40 youth at each program. We help train the youth and adult leaders while doing the activities. Kids have several take-home items from the classes.
Community Events & School Programs: Wildlife WHEP & Forestry members promote 4-H at
community events. Wildlife WHEP WI 4-H & Wisconsin 4-H Forestry committee members also provide programs each year at schools and school forests. Typical participation is 150 to 300 youth at the events.
Wildlife & Woods Explorations – Virtual Sessions: Winter & spring statewide monthly virtual sessions are provided for grades K5 – elementary school youth. The interactive sessions presented by 4-H youth leaders are for the entire family. Youth from 53 counties participated in the sessions. Free registration is available for your family 4-H Online account under the events section. Questions? Email: wi4hwildlifeforestry@gmail.com
Wildlife & Woods Careers & Competition – Virtual Sessions: Winter & spring statewide monthly virtual sessions are provided for middle – high school youth and their families. The interactive sessions use 4-H projects to learn more about potential career possibilities. Free registration is available for your family 4-H Online account under the events section. Questions? Email: wi4hwildlifeforestry@gmail.com
Wildlife & Forestry Skill Level Booklets: There are digital copies or free booklets that have 10 pages of worksheets. The booklets have reference guides for the worksheets. There are beginner level and advanced level booklets.
“TRACKS” Newsletter: The newsletter is emailed statewide to the 4-H Extension Educators and friends of the programs. Featured topics and current information and announcements are provided in the newsletter
Wildlife Connection to 4-H Shooting Sports: 4-H Shooting Sports was introduced 1983. Wildlife was included as one of the “essentials” to be integrated into the shooting sports program. County 4-H Shooting Sports Programs are encouraged to provide wildlife/forestry activities for their project members. This training prepares youth for participation in Statewide 4-H Shooting Sports Tournament Wildlife Contests. Classes are taught by youth leaders with adult supervision. Participation in the wildlife contests is required for 4-H youth to qualify for 4-H National Shooting Sports Competition.
Special thanks are extended to the following for making the “Wildlife WHEP Wisconsin 4-H” & “Wisconsin 4-H Forestry” programs possible: Northern Kettle Moraine Chapter of Whitetails Unlimited; Washington County Chapter of Whitetails Unlimited; Wildlife WHEP Wisconsin 4-H & Wisconsin 4-H Forestry – Washington County; Wildlife WHEP Wisconsin 4-H & Wisconsin 4-H Forestry Friends & State Committee Members.
Advisor: Carlea Liermann, Calumet County 4-H Program Educator.
Barb & Norb Yogerst and Al & Donna Gross, Committee Members
For more information, contact Norb and Barb Yogerst at wi4hwildlifeforestry@gmail.com.
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.
This page is optimized for printing
