Oconee Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP) Training

The Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP) is a hands-on environmental education program that provides participants an opportunity to test their wildlife knowledge in a friendly competition, as each state supporting WHEP conducts an annual contest where teams of 3-4 similarly aged individuals gather. Participants in this training are not required to compete - but if interested, additional information is at the end of this description. (competetors MUST be 4-H members in good standing)- more information will be shared during the training.

WHEP is a 4-H and FFA youth natural resource program dedicated to teaching wildlife and fisheries habitat management to junior and senior-level (Jrs 9-13, srs14 -18, unless otherwise approved) youth in the United States.

What do Participants Study?

• Learn to identify wildlife visually, by sound, and by trace (remains, tracks, scat, etc)
• Learn wildlife terms and concepts
• Learn about wildlife habitat
• Learn how to judge the quality of wildlife habitat
• Learn about wildlife habitat management practices
• Learn about wildlife damage management

This training is hands-on learning for youth (ages 9-18) to gain knowledge and skills related to South Carolina wildlife and habitat management. Planned topics are as follows:
Monday Feb 3: Paperwork, What is WHEP?, go over how classes will run, study eastern bluebird, learn how to conduct survey, create snags, increase/decrease harvest

Part 1: Plan Background

Monday Feb 10: Animals covered: coyote, bluegill, wild turkey, Canada goose, mallard, mink: Concepts covered: setback succession, conservation easement

Part 2: Habitat Requirements

Wednesday Feb 12: Seniors only

Monday Feb 17: No Class

Monday Feb 24: Animals covered: northern bobwhite, eastern fox squirrel, eastern cottontail, wood duck ,northern pintail, common muskrat, channel catfish: Concepts covered: *turbidity, *lime pond, *livestock management, *construct pond, *stock fish pond, *repair spillway/ levee

Part 2: Habitat Assessment

Wednesday Feb 26: Seniors only

Monday March 3: Animals covered: mourning dove, redhead, wild pig, raccoon, largemouth bass, Concepts covered: *plant trees/ shrubs, *damage management

Part 3: Plan Implementation

Monday March 10: Animals covered: white-tailed deer, river otter, eastern gray squirrel, Virginia rail, Concepts covered: *forest management, *field borders, *edge feathering

Part 4: Plan Evaluation

Wednesday March 12: Seniors only

Monday March 17: No Class

Monday Saturday, March 24: Animals covered: American beaver, American bullfrog, Virginia rail, Concepts covered: *delay crop harvest, *Map Making.

Wednesday March 26: Seniors only

Monday March 31: Practice Management Plan

Monday April 7th: Practice Identification

Wednesday April 9th: Seniors Only

For questions and information about this training, please reach out to Gina Spear, South Cove County Park at [email protected]

The South Carolina WHEP State Contest will be held at the Baruch Institute(Georgetown, SC) on Saturday April 12. Lunch and an event t-shirt will be provided to registered participants. Additional lunches and t-shirts can be purchased for $15each with registration as needed.

(Plan on a little over ½ day for Jr., Full day for Sr.)

Youth may register as a team (3 or 4 people per team, $45/team) or as an individual ($15). The contest is set up for:

• Junior Division (9-13 years of age)
• Senior Division (14-18 years of age)

Ages are calculated as of January 1, 2025

The registration deadline for the WHEP State Contest is Friday, March 21st, 2025

For WHEP questions related to 4-H, please contact Mallory Maher at [email protected]; for WHEP questions related to FFA, please contact Jason Gore at [email protected].

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Membership requirement: Current 4-H membership in is required for participation in the state competition. Membership is not required to participate in training.

Custodial Care: Please note that 4-H and Clemson Extension do not assume custodial care of youth in attendance. Adults (parents, guardians, volunteers, coaches, teachers, or other chaperones) presence is determined by Oconee County Parks, Recreation, and Tourism regulations.

Civil Rights Statement

Host or Publisher Oconee County 4-H