ALABAMA A&M and AUBURN UNIVERSITIES

CONTRIBUTION ENABLES ALABAMA 4-H CHAMPIONS TO COMPETE IN NATIONAL EVENT
 
 

AUBURN, AUG. 27---A contribution by several key environmental groups made it possible for Alabama’s Wildlife Judging Championship Team to attend the 4-H Wildlife Judging Championship in Kansas.

The $2,500 contribution represents a partnership of several private organizations, including the Alabama Wildlife Federation, Ducks Unlimited, the Safari Club and the National Wild Turkey Federation.

"We’re proud to pull together in support of this important program that helps develop future managers and advocates of Alabama’s wildlife resources," says Tim Gothard, executive director of the Alabama Wildlife Federation.

The trip to Kansas is one of several 4-H events that will receive funding from partnership members in the future.

"In the past, we’ve basically provided random help," says Pete Elkins, regional field supervisor for the National Wild Turkey Association. "However, last year our national organization donated $1 million to the national 4-H Shooting Sports program, and here in Alabama we donated $5,000 to the state program."

Like the Wildlife Judging competition, 4-H Shooting Sports is one of several 4-H educational programs introducing young people to the importance of environmental stewardship.

"We’re basically delighted to partner with 4-H in a much more meaningful way than we’ve done in the past," Elkins adds. "After all, without shooting, there would be no hunting, and without hunting, there would be no more conservation."

This year’s Alabama Wildlife Judging Team, comprised of 4-H’ers from Lee and Clay counties, placed fourth overall nationally. Team-member Lee Gasser, a Clay County 4-H’er, placed first in individual ranking. Georgia earned top honors at this year’s competition, followed by Mississippi and Maryland. Only two points separated the Alabama team from the second-placed Mississippi team.

The partnership’s contribution enabled the Alabama team to enhance their visit in a variety of ways. Prior to their arrival in Kansas, team members toured wildlife habitats in Tennessee, Kentucky and Missouri. On their way home after competition, team members took a canoe trip along the Buffalo River in Arkansas. The team also got to train at Kansas State University’s famed Konza Prairie, which allowed them to become more familiar with prairie grasses featured in the competition.

Lee County Extension 4-H Agent Chuck Browne, who coached the team, says this hands-on exposure to prairie grass was an indispensable part of the team’s preparation for competition. Previously, the team had specialized only in the pine and oak woodlands common to the Southeast.

(For picture click  here.    For cutline click  here. )

SOURCE: JIM LANGCUSTER, Extension communications specialist, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, (334) 844-5686.