NC Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program (WHEP) Team Places among Top at Nationals

Renee L Strnad, NC State University – Extension Forestry
NC Project Learning Tree Coordinator
NC Certified Environmental Educator

Media Release

The North Carolina Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program team traveled to Zwolle, Louisiana, for the 2009 National WHEP Contest in July. Team members were Will Buslinger from Caswell County, Melissa Gold from Guilford County, and Rebecca Warren from Haywood County.  Ruth Buslinger and Tanya Gold were the team coaches. Sixty-two youth from 16 states participated in the national contest with events including wildlife identification, general wildlife knowledge, and on-site recommendation of wildlife management practices. Additionally, teams created a written wildlife management plan, which each team member individually defended before a panel of judges.    

The team returned to North Carolina with many awards, including 6^th Place Overall and 4^th in the Written Wildlife Management Plan event.  Ms. Gold placed 13^th in the Overall individual scores. Mr. Buslinger placed 8^th in Oral Defense of the Wildlife Plan, and 17^th Overall in individual scores.

Congratulations!!!

Pictured above: 2009 North Carolina Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program Team at the
National Contest in Zwolle, Louisiana.  Left to Right:  Ruth Buslinger
(coach), Rebecca Warren,  Will Buslinger, Melissa Gold, and Tanya Gold
(coach).

Learn more about North Carolina WHEP – Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program and other great 4-H Programs!