By Andi Anderson
Iowa 4-H youth teams gathered in Ames for the annual State Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP) Competition held on April 12. The event tested participants’ knowledge of wildlife, ecosystems, and conservation through both team and individual challenges.
The Tama County Turtles earned first place in the senior team division. Team members Josey Wacha, Levi Murty, Rachael Murty, and Wyatt Silhanek prepared for the event by meeting regularly since December. The Clay County Trailblazers took second place with Abigail, David, and Hannah Roush.
Youth worked on writing wildlife management plans in the morning at McFarland Park and later tested their animal identification skills during the Wildlife Challenge at Iowa State University’s Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management.
The competition focused on tallgrass prairie, urban, and wetland ecoregions. Participants also took part in educational sessions. Maya Hayslett, ISU Extension crop science specialist, introduced them to microbes in soil and water using microscopes.
Lynne Campbell, another education specialist, taught about monarch butterfly conservation, stressing the importance of planting milkweed and native flowers.
Wildlife extension specialist Adam Janke praised the participants’ enthusiasm. “The dedication these young people show is truly inspiring. Their understanding of habitat management and species recognition reflects their hard work and passion.”
In the junior division, the Clay County Trailblazers—Clara Nelson, Gavin Jones, and Andrew Baker—secured first place. Franklin County’s Red Team placed second, while the Green Team placed third.
Top individual junior winners included Bryar Van Hove, Clara Nelson, and Brylee Kline. Senior winners included Josey Wacha, David Roush, and Wyatt Silhanek.
Sponsored by Iowa 4-H Youth Development and ISU’s Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, the event helped youth build science knowledge, explore careers, and develop friendships through a shared passion for wildlife.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-poike
Categories: Iowa, Education