Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP) Contest: A Complete Guide

If you’re a student in the United States with a passion for wildlife and conservation, the Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP) National Contest could be the perfect avenue to explore your interests. WHEP is a nationwide hands-on learning and competition experience that can shape your knowledge, skills, and future opportunities in the environmental field.

In this comprehensive guide, we break down everything you need to know about WHEP, from application timelines, competition requirements, and tips on how to win.

• What Is the WHEP National Contest?
• WHEP National Contest Awards and Prizes
• How to Qualify for the WHEP National Contest
• How to Compete at the WHEP National Contest
• How to Win at the WHEP National Contest
• WHEP National Contest Previous Winners
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

What Is the WHEP National Contest?

WHEP stands for the Wildlife Habitat Education Program, a national youth program focused on wildlife and habitat management education. It operates as a friendly competition and learning experience primarily through 4-H clubs and FFA chapters.

Each year, participating states hold contests where teams of 3–4 youth test their wildlife knowledge and habitat evaluation skills. The program culminates in an annual National WHEP Contest, typically held during the last full week of July at a rotating location around the country.

For example, the upcoming 2026 National WHEP Competition will take place on July 26–29, 2026 in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, showcasing the Southeastern Mixed ecoregion.

Beyond the contest, participants engage with curriculum and activities covering wildlife ecology, habitat management practices, and species identification.

WHEP is open to junior and senior-level youth (approximately ages 8–19) across the United States. While it’s affiliated with 4-H and FFA, some states even allow non-4-H members to take part as long as they meet the age requirements.

WHEP contest structure

The modern WHEP framework (as described in the updated WHEP manual materials) centers on three scored contest activities.

Activity I: Wildlife Challenge (50 points) evaluates both wildlife identification and general knowledge. Participants identify species and answer questions related to species biology and ecology, key concepts and terms, wildlife management practices, and regional ecoregion information.

Next, Activity II: On-site Recommendation of Wildlife Management Practices (50 points) is an individual field-based decision task. Participants analyze a scenario and site conditions, then recommend appropriate management practices for designated focal species. Scoring uses a “correct minus incorrect” method that is scaled to a total of 50 points.

Lastly, Activity III focuses on applied planning and communication. In Activity III-A: Written Wildlife Management Plan (125 points), teams develop a management plan within a set time limit based on a provided scenario. This is followed by Activity III-B: Oral Reasons or Defense (up to 75 team points), where each team member answers questions about the plan. Only the top three oral scores count toward the team’s final total.

WHEP National Contest Awards and Prizes

WHEP is often described as education-first, competition-second; the recognition structure supports that by rewarding both team performance and individual mastery, usually culminating in a banquet-style awards ceremony.

National-level awards and recognitions

You should generally expect these recognition categories:

Team awards (like 1st and 2nd place by track) are based on national scores across Activities I–III, with only the top three team members’ scores counting. High individual awards are based on combined scores from Activity I and Activity II only, not the oral reasons portion.

How to Qualify for the WHEP National Contest

Qualifying for the WHEP National Contest is earned through performance at the state level. Because each state may send only one 4-H team and one FFA team, competition is selective and structured.

Eligibility

To compete in WHEP, students must meet clearly defined eligibility standards:

• Program-level eligibility. WHEP is generally open to youth ages 8–19. Students within this age range may participate in local and state-level WHEP activities, though national competition aligns with the senior division.
• National contest eligibility. For the WHEP National Contest, a team must consist of 3–4 members ages 14–18, with age calculated as of January 1 of the contest year. States typically select their representatives through an official state-level WHEP competition.
• State qualification requirement. Only one team per state per track may advance to nationals—typically one 4-H team and one FFA team. Qualification is earned through the designated state selection process.
• Participation limits. Many state and Extension guidelines indicate that students may only compete at the national WHEP contest once, particularly within 4-H divisions. Participants should confirm repeat eligibility policies with their state coordinator before beginning preparation.

Required documents

To compete at the WHEP National Contest, teams must complete several required documents:

• State declaration requirement. The state WHEP coordinator must submit an official “intention to participate” or declaration of entry, typically due in early June in prior national cycles. Teams cannot self-declare; this step is handled at the state level.
• Online registration forms. Coaches or designated coordinators must complete official online registration by the stated national deadline. Registration portals and submission instructions are released by the host state or national committee.
• Health and permission forms. All participants are required to submit health disclosures and signed parental/guardian permission forms.
• Adult screening and child protection compliance. Many national cycles require background check verification for adult chaperones and coaches. Some host states also require proof of completed youth protection or child safety training uploaded during registration.
• Special accommodations requests. Requests for disability accommodations or special considerations must be submitted to the contact listed in the official contest announcement by the published deadline.

Contest fees

Contest fees vary by year and host state. Because the official 2026 WHEP National Contest fees have not yet been announced, it helps to look at prior national cycles for context.

In 2022, the national announcement listed a participation fee of $200 per person, including competitors, coaches, and chaperones. That fee covered food and lodging, while teams were responsible for their own travel and related transportation expenses.

In 2024, the structure remained largely the same, with the per-person fee set at $225, covering food and lodging but not travel.

Additionally, prior-year materials indicate that non-registered family members who wished to attend the awards banquet were required to purchase separate tickets, which were priced at $25 per additional attendee in both the 2022 and 2024 national documents.

Registration deadlines

For 2026, while the contest dates and venue are specified, the registration deadlines are not yet announced. However, you can check out the table below to see our recommended timeline for planning based on the 2026 contest dates:

How to Compete at the WHEP National Contest

Once your state team is confirmed, sharpen species identification, practice written and oral components, and train for field scenarios that test both knowledge and composure. Here’s how to prepare:

1. Join through 4-H or FFA.

Most students begin their WHEP journey through a local 4-H club or FFA chapter. Ask your agriculture teacher, club advisor, or county Extension office if your state participates in the program. Many states offer practices, workshops, or training sessions to learn wildlife identification and habitat evaluation skills.

2. Build a strong team.

WHEP teams typically consist of three to four students who work together throughout the competition. Choose teammates who are interested in wildlife science, ecology, or environmental management and are willing to practice consistently. Since WHEP includes both individual and team components, strong collaboration and communication can significantly improve your overall score.

3. Compete in your state contest.

Before reaching nationals, students usually compete in a state-level WHEP contest. These competitions test your ability to identify wildlife species, evaluate habitat conditions, and recommend management strategies. Performance at this stage determines which team represents the state at the national level.

4. Advance to the national competition.

The top teams from each state earn the opportunity to compete at the WHEP National Contest. Each state can typically send one 4-H team and one FFA team, making qualification highly competitive. At nationals, you will compete against some of the most knowledgeable high school students in wildlife and natural resources.

5. Prepare for the national challenge.

The national contest includes several rigorous components that test both knowledge and applied skills. Students must identify wildlife species, evaluate habitat quality, and develop management plans based on real-world scenarios. Many competitions also require participants to explain and defend their recommendations to judges.

How to Win at the WHEP National Contest

Here’s a breakdown of proven and tested tips to ensure your chances of winning at the WHEP National Contest:

Activity I: Wildlife Challenge (50 points)

The Wildlife Challenge tests your ability to identify species, habitat features, wildlife signs, and key ecological concepts. Because questions are presented in timed stations, quick recognition and strong recall are essential.

Prepare by practicing with photos, specimens, and sound clips under timed conditions to build speed and accuracy. Focus your study on the contest’s designated ecoregion and species list rather than memorizing unrelated wildlife facts.

Activity II: On-site Recommendation of Wildlife Management Practices (50 points)

This activity requires students to evaluate a habitat scenario and select the most appropriate wildlife management practices. Success depends on understanding how each practice affects specific species and the conditions of their habitats.

Focus on selecting only the most effective ones, since incorrect choices can reduce your score. Practicing realistic scenarios and linking habitat problems to the right conservation strategies can significantly improve your performance.

Activity III: Written Wildlife Management Plan (125 points) and Oral Defense (75 points)

The final portion challenges teams to design and defend a complete wildlife management plan. In the written section, teams analyze a scenario and propose strategies to improve habitat conditions, explaining how the plan will be implemented and evaluated. Judges prioritize clear reasoning, organized writing, and management practices that directly address the habitat problem.

During the oral defense, competitors must confidently explain their decisions and demonstrate strong knowledge of wildlife management principles. Strong communication and teamwork often distinguish the top teams at this stage.

WHEP National Contest Previous Winners

Here are the most recent winners of the WHEP National Contest:

For a complete list, see WHEP’s official list here.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do you qualify for the WHEP National Contest?

You must compete in your state’s senior division and earn selection as the official 4-H or FFA team representing your state. Only one team per state per track may advance to nationals.

2. What does the WHEP National Contest test?

The contest evaluates species identification, habitat evaluation, wildlife management planning, and oral defense. Teams are scored across written, practical, and interview-based components.

3. How many students are on a national team?

A national team typically consists of 3–4 members ages 14–18 (age determined as of January 1 of the contest year), along with certified adult coaches or leaders.

Takeaways

• The Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP) National Contest is a premier environmental science competition that challenges high school students to apply real-world wildlife management principles.
• The 2026 National WHEP Competition will take place on July 26–29, 2026 in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
• WHEP is open to high school students participating through 4-H or FFA programs. Competitors typically begin at local or state events before advancing to higher levels of competition, where teams of four students represent top performers from their state.
• Winning the WHEP National Contest requires strong interdisciplinary skills across wildlife science, ecology, and environmental management.
• Competitions like WHEP can strengthen your college application, especially if you’re interested in environmental science, ecology, or conservation. Our Math and Science Competitions Program helps students prepare strategically for competitions like WHEP by building subject mastery, strengthening analytical skills, and developing effective competition strategies.