​Wildlife Habitat Career Development Event

The primary purpose of this event is to increase youth understanding of wildlife ecology, habitat and management practices. Several other skills will also be enhanced. These include team work, oral and written communication, decision making, leadership and interpersonal/social skills. Participants must be 4-H or FFA members at the time of the event. Regional events will qualify individuals​ for the state competition. Regional events are open to all teams​​​.​ Activities include wildlife challenge and wildlife management practices. The state contest will take place at Martel Forest at Purdue University. Contestants qualifying to compete at the state contest will complete activities in the wildlife challenge, wildlife management practices, and a team wildlife management plan exercise.​

The 2024 wildlife management practices and wildlife management plan ecoregion will be Eastern Deciduous Forest. Wildlife identification specimens and exam questions will include the Eastern Deciduous Forest, Urban, and Wetland ecoregions.

Regional Qualifying Event: Saturday, April 13, 2024

Location of Regional Events:

  • North: Salmonie Interpretive Center - Andrews, IN
  • Central: Vigo County 4-H Fairgrounds, Terre Haute, IN
  • South: Southeast Purdue Agricultural Center - Butlerville, IN

WHEP Results

Date of Indiana 4-H/FFA WHEP State Event: Saturday, May 11, 2024

Location of State Event: Wright Center, Martel Forest, West Lafayette

Registration Due Date: Friday, March 29, 2024

Coaches registering a 4-H team/individual must do so using their 4-H Online account. Instructions for registering in 4-H Online. 

Coaches registering a FFA team/individual must do so using their FFA chapter account.

Any adult coaching both 4-H and FFA teams/individuals will need to use both online systems.

Resources

  • Addition of new species (and removal of one) for Eastern Deciduous Forest
    • New - black bear, bumble bee, and monarch butterfly
    • Removed - large mouth bass
  • New Species for Urban
    • Monarch butterfly
  • New Species for wetlands
    • Channel catfish
  • Change to practice name
    • Tillage management is now Soil Conservation Agriculture