4-H Forestry and Wildlife Teams Excel in National Competitions

— Written by Renee Strnad | August 31, 2018 (Updated: Nov. 30, 2023, 9:33 a.m.)

NC 2018 4-H Forestry Team — The 2018 North Carolina 4-H Forestry Team at the contest site in West Virginia. Team members are (L-R): Jane Tyler, Shyanne Knepp, Addy Knepp, Suzanne Tyler. The team was coached by Carla Arrowood and Lily Knepp.

Summer 2018 was incredibly successful for North Carolina's 4-H teams competing in national contests for forestry and wildlife; with NC teams placing second and fourth, respectively.

Fifteen states converged at West Virginia University Jackson’s Mill State 4-H Camp and Conference Center near Weston, West Virginia, for 39th Annual National Forestry Invitational at the end of July. Events included tree identification, tree measurement, compass and pacing, insect and disease identification, topographic map use, forest evaluation, forestry bowl, and a written forestry exam. The North Carolina team, all from Forsyth County, placed second in the nation. Team members Addy Knepp placed second overall, and Suzanne Tyler placed fourth overall. Team members also received perfect scores in Forest Health (Jane Tyler), and Compass and Pacing and Tree Measurement (Addy Knepp) portions of the contest. This was the highest placing for a North Carolina team at the Forestry Invitational in history. the team was coached by Lily Knepp and Carla Arrowood.

The 2018 NC 4-H WHEP Team at the contest location in Acadia National Park, Maine. Team members are (L-R): Emmy Norris, Amelia Martin, and Ericka Norris. The team was coached by Felicia Martin.

Eighteen states were represented at the National Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP) Contest held at the Schoodic Institute in Acadia National Park in Maine. The national WHEP contest was held just a week prior to the forestry contest. Events include the wildlife challenge, wildlife management practices, written wildlife management plan, and the oral defense of the written plan. The North Carolina team, based in Union and Stanly counties, placed fourth overall. The team was coached by Felicia Martin.

To be selected to represent North Carolina at the national Forestry Invitational or the national WHEP Contest, teams must first compete at the state level contests, hosted by NC State University Extension Forestry, and have the highest score in the senior division. 4-Hers can only attend the national contest once, allowing many to share the experience of learning about a new environment and meeting 4-H members from across the country. If you are interested in learning more about either of these contests or how to sponsor 2019 teams, please contact Renee Strnad at renee_strnad@ncsu.edu.

NC 4-H Forestry Team members Jane Tyler and Addy Knepp try their hand at the cross-cut saw during the 2018 National Forestry Invitational in West Virginia.

Writing the Wildlife Management Plan — NC WHEP team members work on the written wildlife management plan during the 2018 national WHEP contest in Acadia National Park, Maine. The team writes the management plan together, but then each individual team member faces a panel of judges for the oral reasoning portion of the contest.

4-H Forestry and Wildlife Teams Excel in National Competitions

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