Can you tell the difference between a red-eyed vireo call and an American robin call? Can you tell me what a northern bobwhite eats? High schoolers from across the country can and will get to showcase these talents this July.
Often, our Clemson Extension program teams work together to conduct programs for the state and even the country. A great example of these team efforts is the Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP), where the Clemson Extension Natural Resources, 4-H, and Agriculture Education Teams work together to host our annual State Contest. This past July, Clemson Extension took these efforts one step further. Clemson hosted the National Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP) National Contest, a program for 4-H and FFA high schoolers to learn more about wildlife management and wildlife biology.
Staff Senator and Membership Committee Co-Chair, Mallory Maher, currently serves as the WHEP National Committee Chair and led the efforts to host 18 teams in South Carolina at the South Carolina FFA Leadership Center in Cherry Grove, SC. This was the first time South Carolina has hosted the National contest in almost 30 years.
During the contest, youth had the opportunity to meet and interact with professionals from the wildlife industry at a fun, hands-on education day, and then put their wildlife knowledge to the test through various activities, ranging from a wildlife ID contest to writing a wildlife management plan. This program is truly one of the most hands-on and applicable programs in existence, giving youth a glimpse of what a potential career in wildlife or natural resources might look like.
We are excited to welcome a regular contribution to the Staff Senate Newsletter from the Extension Senate President, Charley Maxwell. Visit the Extension Senate blog at https://blogs.clemson.edu/ces/.
