The goal of the 4-H Science, Engineering, and Technology (SET) Initiative is to address America's critical need for more scientists and engineers by engaging 150,000 youth by 2013. 4-H SET activities and projects combine non-formal education with hands-on, inquiry-based learning in a positive youth development context to engage youth in improving their SET knowledge, skills and abilities. 4-H SET activities and projects combine the strengths of 4-H Youth Development non-formal experiential-based delivery modes and strong youth-adult partnerships to address SET content as defined by the National Science Education Standards.

California 4-H Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program (WHEP)

National Program Website 

The Goal of California 4-H WHEP is to help participants develop an awareness of, and concern about, the environment, and its associated problems, and who have the knowledge, skills, attitudes, motivations, and commitment to work individually and collectively toward solutions of current problems and the prevention of new ones.

The Objectives of California 4-H WHEP are:

• To explore wildlife management practices through experiential application

• To initiate the development of life skills in order to promote beneficial wildlife and environmental practices

• To develop active leaders who model positive environmental behavior

California WHEP Flyer & Overview (PDF)

Who Can Participate

The basic premise of 4-H programs is to teach valuable skills and knowledge to young people, who, in turn, teach their parents. Today's students are our future land stewards. Students in WHEP have a greater understanding of the value of land and how it can be managed to benefit many wildlife and fish species. When they join the work force, former WHEP participants can apply their WHEP skills and knowledge to create better habitat for wildlife and fish, no matter what professional field they have chosen.

What You Will Learn

 Wildlife Foods

WHEP participants learn about specific wildlife species and the foods they eat. When competing, participants are given a number of actual wildlife foods which represent categories of foods. Participants must decide which species, for which they are managing, eats those particular foods.

Aerial Photographs

Contestants judge the suitability of wildlife habitat for pre-determined wildlife species by analyzing aerial photos. They rank each habitat from most suitable to least suitable for birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians.

Wildlife Management Practices

WHEP exposes participants to various regions of the U.S. Based on the specific region and species, participants learn about different practices that may be applied to benefit that species. Participants must decide which management practices are appropriate by evaluating a particular site in the field and recommending actions that have not yet been applied. Contestants also write a one-page management plan for a landowner justifying their choices of particular management practices based on a pre-determined scenario.

Written Urban and Rural Management Plans

Finally, participants compete as teams by writing two management plans. Based on their evaluation of two particular sites with marked boundaries and landowner preferences given to them in the form of a scenario, teams write management plans to enhance the site for designated wildlife species. They also draw maps to illustrate the implementation of their recommended management practices. This activity encourages leadership skills, team cooperation, writing skills and creativity.

History of WHEP

WHEP started out as a "Wildlife Judging," a state-wide program in Tennessee created by Jim Byford and Tom Hill from the Tennessee Agriculture Extension Service in 1978. The program soon grew to include other southeastern states. The first regional contest was held in Mississippi in 1987.

In 1989, "Wildlife Judging" went nationwide. The national event was held in West Virginia with the support of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.

The program was officially named WHEP in 1990, and the national contest was moved to different regions each year, exposing participants to wildlife habitats and practices unique to those regions. National contest sites have included the North Carolina Atlantic coast, the Prairie Pothole regions in North Dakota, the Texas Hill Country and the Idaho Rocky Mountains.

In 1996, WHEP won The Wildlife Society's Conservation Education Award. It's reputation as a quality wildlife and fisheries educational experience for youth and adults attracted the attention of several additional national sponsors including International Paper (Formerly Champion International Corporation),, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and the National Rifle Association. WHEP also earned a solid reputation for being a 4-H program that fostered relationships between professional wildlife and fisheries biologists, volunteers, parents, youth, teachers, farmers and ranchers, as well as one that taught essential life skills such as oral and written communication and decision-making. WHEP helped youth strengthen their self-concept and character through interaction with other young people from their own state and different parts of the country.

Participation in WHEP grew from 5 states in 1989 to 26 states in 1997. About 10,000 4-H'ers nationwide participate in WHEP now, and the number continues to increase.

California 4-H WHEP Team