Hamilton County 4-H will hold “Wildlife Wednesdays” weekly at Chester Frost Park, beginning this Wednesday from 4-5 p.m. and continuing through May 12, 2021, to introduce youth in grades fourth through 12th to wildlife identification and habitat management, using the Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP) manual. There is no cost to participate, but registration is required. To register, contact Extension Agent Maria Sabin at msabin@tennessee.edu or call the Extension Office at 423-855-6113. For more information, visit the UT-TSU Extension Hamilton County office website at Hamilton.Tennessee.edu and click on “4-H Wildlife Wednesdays.”
Youth attending Wildlife Wednesdays can expect to learn about some of the wildlife found in the eastern deciduous forest, wetlands and urban ecosystems. This includes many of the wildlife species found in Tennessee, including white-tailed deer, timber rattlesnake, largemouth bass, mallard and great horned owl. Identifying the animals and the foods each one eats, what type of cover it needs, and how to manage land for wildlife habitat are some of the topics students will cover in the Wednesday meetings.
The annual regional 4-H Wildlife Evaluation Contest is scheduled for May 20, 2021. Last year, 10 local students participated in this contest, which was held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was the first time Hamilton County students had participated in the 4-H Wildlife contest, and the Hamilton County juniors team (fourth and fifth graders) finished third in the eastern region. The two junior high teams (grades sixth-eighth) finished sixth and seventh in the region. 4-H
Agent Maria Sabin said “This year we know more what to expect in the contest, and we hope the Hamilton County students will have a great time learning about wildlife and competing in the 4-H Wildlife Evaluation competition. WHEP is a great program for anyone interested in animals, biology, land management or hunting.”
The UT-TSU Extension Hamilton County office provides 4-H programs to all youth in Hamilton County in grades fourth through 12th. Youth can join 4-H online at https://tiny.utk.edu/HC4H. Extension is the outreach arm of the University of Tennessee and Tennessee State University. For more information on 4-H in Hamilton County, visit the website of the UT-TSU Extension Hamilton County office at Hamilton.Tennessee.edu.
Facemasks covering mouth and nose, as well as temperature checks and social distancing, are required for everyone attending in-person 4-H meetings this year. Everyone coming to the Wildlife Wednesday events will also be asked to fill out an online health check form in advance.