Conservation & Wildlife

ENVIRONMENTAL ED & EARTH SCIENCES 

Conservation & Wildlife Department D 

Superintendent: Clint Phillips 

Junior Superintendents: Garett Tollman, Julia Nicholson, & Miranda Betson 

General Rules: 

  1. All exhibits must follow all respective state and national laws relating to conservation, wildlife and shooting sports.
  2. NO FIREARMS, ITEMS WITH A BLADE (broad heads, knives, saws, etc.) or related items of any other kind, may be exhibited.  This applies to actual items, replicated items and item parts. Photos are a suitable substitution for actual items. 
  3. Show What You Did & Learned. All 4-H Members must show evidence of their personal field experiences, study, or observations that relate to their exhibit. This helps judges understand what the 4-H member did and learned in the process that led to the exhibit.
  4. Proper Credit. Show proper credit by listing the sources of plans or other supporting information used in exhibits. An example is provided in the State 4-H Fairbook. 
  5. Exhibitor Info:  -The 4-H member's name, county and age must be on the back or bottom of all displays.
  6. Wildlife & Wildlife Laws. “Animal” or “wildlife” in the following classes includes wild fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, or mammals.  Domestic animal (i.e. domestic livestock or house pets) and insect exhibits are not appropriate for this area. 4-H members must comply with current state and federal laws. It is illegal to possess threatened, endangered, or protected wildlife, or the feathers, nests, or eggs of non-game birds.  These items cannot be part of an exhibit. Game birds and game animals taken legally during an open season may be used.
  7. Project Materials. Related project booklets include Exploring Your Environment Series, 4-H Shooting Sports, Amphibians, Bird Behavior (EC 59three81), Fishing for Adventure Project Manuals, Wildlife Conservation (4-H 125), Geology and Outdoor Adventure.  Other resources include: Outdoor Skills: Learning Science in the Outdoors series (Science Signature Outcome Program) www.outdoornebraska.gov/afterschool/ and www.whep.org.
  8. Board & Poster Exhibits. Mount all board exhibits on ¼ inch plywood, masonite, or similar panel no larger than 24 inches high x 24 inches wide. Poster exhibits should be on regular poster sheets, no larger than standard size (22 inches x 28 inches), but half size (22 inches x 14 inches), is recommended.
  9. Exhibit Size: Exhibits other than poster/display board should not exceed 48 inches x 48 inches and be able to be moved by two people. Large exhibits (larger than listed above) must be suited and prepared for outdoor exhibition at the Nebraska State Fair. If large exhibits are not suited for outdoor exhibition, youth have the option to create a poster or another suitable substitute for the exhibit, instead of exhibiting the project itself.
  10. All static exhibits must have received a purple ribbon at the county fair to advance to the State Fair. 

 

DIVISION 340: WILDLIFE AND HOW THEY LIVE 

Wildlife and How They Live (Classes 1-4) 

Classes 1-4 are board or poster exhibits. Display may show any aspect of wildlife, wildlife habitat, or related conservation. Examples: life history or other facts about one type of wildlife; how to manage wildlife on a farm or in town; managing habitat for one kind of wildlife; life requirements for one kind of wildlife during one season or through the year; wildlife study methods; wildlife behavior (example: when nesting, finding food, moving, etc.); habitats (examples: grasslands, wetlands, river or stream corridors) and what wildlife is found there; habitat needs for a specific kind of wildlife. For more ideas, refer to project booklets. 

D340001. Mammal Display. (SF157A)  

D340002. Bird Display. (SF157A)  

D340003. Fish Display. (SF157A) 

D340004. Reptile or Amphibian Display. (SF157A)  

 

 

D340005. Wildlife Connections. (SF157A) Board or poster exhibit. The purpose of this display is to show interconnections and related aspects among animals, plants, and other habitat components. All displays should show two or more interactions (connections) that occur between/among animals or between animals and their habitat. Displays might show how animals interact with other animals, with people, or with their habitat. Examples: 

  1. Food chain display. Use pictures, drawings, or other items to illustrate the source of food energy and where it goes - who eats whom or what. Use arrows to show the direction of the energy (food) flow.
  2. Show the role of predators, scavengers, insect eaters, or others in nature.
  3. Show how wildlife numbers (populations) change through the year or with their habitat.
  4. Show predation, competition, or other behavioral interactions of wildlife.
  5. Choose one kind of wildlife and make observations through a season or year, keep notes of interactions, then make a display of what you saw.
  6. For more ideas, refer to project booklets.  

D340006. Wildlife Tracks. (SF158A) Board or diorama-type box exhibit. Make a display of animal tracks using plaster-of-paris casts There are three options. For options, include a brief description of your experiences in making the tracks so the judges better understand what you did and learned. Positive casts (impressions as they would be in nature) are preferred. 

  1. Option 1 should show plaster tracks of five or more kinds of wildlife along with a picture or illustration of each kind of animal. OR
  2. Option 2 should show two or more plaster tracks of one specific kind of wildlife and should include a picture or illustration of the animal, what the animal may eat, and what may eat the animal.
  3. Option 3 should show two tracks and include the animal’s habitat needs including preferred food, shelter, water and space in addition to picture or illustration of the animal. 

D340007. Wildlife Knowledge Check. (SF157A) Use electrical circuits, pictures, or other methods of teaching wildlife identification or other wildlife conservation or shooting sports related knowledge. Plan size and shape to fit transportation and display; maximum size 24 inches x 24 inches. Example: prepare a list of animals and questions about where each would most likely live. Rabbits’ brushy areas along field borders; ducks-marshes, etc. 

D340008. Wildlife Diorama. (SF160A) Exhibit must be no larger than 24 inches x 24 inches. The exhibit might show grassland, prairie, agricultural, woodland, riparian (stream or river corridor), wetland, and/or other area with wildlife habitat. Example: show an area interspersed with several habitats such as windbreaks, farm fields, woods, waste areas, ditches, and pastures for edge-adapted species such as White-tailed deer, Northern Bobwhite, Mourning Doves, Cottontail Rabbits, fox, squirrels, Northern Cardinals, or Bluejays. Label the habitats displayed and show at least five kinds of wildlife in their proper habitats. Remember to include supporting information about the wildlife and habitat that is on display. 

D340009. Wildlife Essay. (SF161A) Learn how to share educational information by writing. Choose a conservation or wildlife topic that interests you and write an essay about it. For example, write about a particular species of wildlife that you have observed or about the values of wildlife. You might write about wildlife on a farm, in town, in a backyard, at a backyard feeder, or at other places. You might write about ethics, proper behavior in the outdoors, hunting, or fishing. For other ideas, refer to project booklets. 

The essay should be between 100 and 1000 words long and should be typed, double spaced on standard size paper (8.5 inch x 11 inch) format is preferred. You might use books, magazines, or personal interviews as resources, but you must give credit to all sources by listing them. 

D340010. Wildlife Values Scrapbook. (SF162A) Make a scrapbook about the value of wildlife. This could  include aesthetic, scientific, commercial, game, genetic, and/or ecological topics. 

D340011. Wildlife Arts. (SF163A) The purpose of this class is to allow artistic exhibits that contain educational information about conservation and wildlife. Examples might include paintings, photographs, woodcarvings, painted duck decoys, or songs or poems written by the 4-H member. Entries must be appropriate for fair display and no larger than 24 inches x 24 inches. For example, paintings or photographs should be displayed in notebook format or mounted on a sturdy display panel. All entries must include a title and brief explanation of the purpose or message (what is the exhibit meant to show). 

DIVISION 341: OUTDOOR ADVENTURES   

Rules: 

  1. Display posters must be made of material, e.g., foam board or poster board and measure no larger than 22” x 28”. Poster material should be sturdy enough to hold display items. 
  2. Display exhibits other than posters to be no larger than 18” x 24”. 
  3. Journal/Binder exhibits measure no larger than 16” x 16”. 

 

DIVISION 341: OUTDOOR ADVENTURES LEVEL 1 (County Only) 

D341011. Poster. Create a poster or display no larger than 22” x 28”. Topics may include one of the following, but not limited to: trail map(s) you have hiked, hiking essentials, your hiking adventures, wildlife, or plants observed while hiking (birds, animal prints, butterflies, etc. plan a hike, explain “Leave No Trae” and how this was followed during hiking, collection of photos from your hikes.  

D341012. Journal/Binder.  Written report of actual, virtual or imagined trail(s) hiked with observations, or field journal (notes of actual experiences, sights, sounds, smells, etc.) or camping trip diary. Feathers/leaf/flower pressings must be securely attached if included. Photos or drawings of observations encouraged.  

D341013. Hiking Safety. Must include explanation of use of item, why selected/purpose of item and how it meets hiking needs. May include, but are not limited to, one of the following: a compact hiking safety kit, homemade compass or homemade water purifier.  

D341014. Hiking Adventure Game.  Create a game of trails of outdoor adventures. Must be educational on one or more aspects of hiking, must include clear instructions as to the purpose and what can be learned by playing the game.  

D341015. Other Hiking Items(s).  Must include what inspired the creation of the item(s) and its purpose. May include but are not limited to one of the following: hiking backpack, nature art, nature poem or story, homemade hiking snack mix displayed in a re-sealable plastic bag (include why ingredients were selected and nutritional value).  

 

DIVISION 341: OUTDOOR ADVENTURES LEVEL 2. (SF281) 

D341001. Poster. Poster material should be sturdy enough to hold display items. Topics may include, but not limited to one or more of the following; how to pitch a tent, knot tying, cooking over a campfire, how to start a campfire, wildlife and plants identified while camping, how to set up emergency shelter, dealing with weather, collection of photos from camping trips, “Leave No Trace” and how that was followed while camping, plan a camping trip, camping essentials, environmental issues/protecting natural resources, park or trail clean up, sanitation/hygiene while outdoors or use of GPS.  

D341002. Journal/Binder. Written report of actual, virtual or imagined camping/hiking trips with observations or field journal (notes of actual experiences, sights, sounds, smells, etc.), or camping or hiking trip diary. Explain growth in project, leading the hikes, planning the camping trip, now being able to identify the wildlife and nature around you and how identified (sight/sound/shape;/smell/color). Feathers/leaf/flower pressings must be securely attached, if included. Photos of drawing of observations encouraged. Exhibits measure no larger than 16 inches x 16 inches. 

D341003. Camping/Hiking Safety. Must include explanation of use of item and why selected/purpose, how it fits hiking/camping needs. May include, but are not limited to, one of the following: travel sized poisonous plants guide, camping first aid kit, weather/water safety or hand hygiene kit.  

D341004. Digital Media. Use digital media to show video/slideshow/presentation of setting up a tent (include why site is chosen) or protecting natural resources or environmental issues or computer video camping/hiking game. Submit a USB drive or DVD inside a report cover or notebook. If using a slideshow, include printed slides inside a report cover or notebook.  

D341005. Other Camping Items. Must include what inspired the creation of the item, and its purpose. May include but are not limited to one of the following; nature art, nature haiku poem, spider web sketches or knot display.  

 

DIVISION 341: OUTDOOR ADVENTURES LEVEL 3. (SF281) 

D341006. Poster. Topics may include but not limited to one of the following; Topographic map, backpacking trip plan, camp layout, plan an expedition (can be dreamed or lived), collection of photos from your expedition, trails hiked, cost comparison of rental vs purchase or using GPS/compass.  

D341007. Journal/Binder. Written report of actual, virtual or imagined expeditions/camping/hiking, or field journal (notes of actual experiences, sights, sounds, smells, etc.). Explain growth in project, challenges in leading a group, teaching others about wildlife and nature identification and “Leave No Trace.” Exhibits measure no larger than 16 inches x 16 inches.  

D341008. Expedition Safety. Must include an explanation of use of items, why selected/purpose of item, how it meets hiking/camping/expedition needs. May include but are not limited to; travel sized edible plants, creepy crawly guide, tent repair kit, travel first aid kit or weather/water safety.  

D341009. Digital Media. Use digital media to show video/slideshow/presentation of one of the following, but not limited to; building a non-tent shelter (include why needed), packing your backpack/equipment and getting it onto you, teaching others about environmental issues or a computer video backpacking expedition game. Submit a USB drive or DVD inside a report cover or notebook. If using a slideshow, include printed slides inside report cover or notebook.  

D341010. Other Expedition Items. Must include what inspired the creation of the item, and its purpose. May include but are not limited to one of the following; nature art, nature haiku poem, spider web sketches or knot display. Exhibits measure no larger than 18 inches x 24 inches.  

 

DIVISION 342: WILDLIFE HABITAT  

D342001. Houses. (SF165A) Make a house for wildlife. Examples: bird house (bluebird, purple martin, wood duck, kestrel, barn owl, etc.) or bat house; no insect houses. Make the house functional so that dimensions, hole size etc. are appropriate to fit the intended species’ needs. Include the following information: 1) The kinds of animal(s) for which the house is intended. 2) Where and how the house should be located for best use, 3) Any seasonal maintenance needed and 4) any evidence of your personal observations or experiences. Tips: check NebGuide on birdhouses and shelves. 

D342002. Feeders/Waters. (SF165A) Make a bird bath or feeder. Examples: seed, suet, or nectar feeders. Squirrel feeders acceptable; no insect feeders. Include the following information: 1) the kinds of animal(s) for which the water/feeder is intended, 2) where and how the water/feeder should be located for best use, 3) any seasonal maintenance needed, and 4) any evidence of your personal observations or experiences. Tips: check NebGuide on feeding birds: https://wildlife.unl.edu/pdfs/feeding-birds.pdf 

D342003. Wildlife Habitat Design Board or Poster Exhibit. (SF167A) Board or poster exhibit. Choose a backyard, acreage, or farm, and design a habitat plan to meet the food, water, shelter, and space needs of at least three kinds of animals you would like to attract. Draw an outline of the area and show what plants or other habitat will be provided. Indicate how the various parts of your plan provide the desired habitat needs. You might include an aerial photo of the area if you have one. For ideas, check the Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Handbook, Participant’s Manual (NE 4H4300). 

  

DIVISION 343: HARVESTING EQUIPMENT 

D343001. Fish Harvesting Equipment. (SF168A) Board exhibit. Display of equipment used in fish harvesting. Examples: fishing knots, hooks (with corks over ends for safety), and lures. Label all items displayed. Include in your exhibit the following information: 

  1. The purpose of each item
  2. When or where each item is used 
  3. Any personal experiences you’ve had with the item(s)  

D343002. Build A Fishing Rod. (SF169A) Rod building kits with instructions are available for this purpose. A fishing rod educational exhibit may not exceed 96 inches length. Exhibit must be mounted on a board. Include with the exhibit: 

  1. Explanation of cost of materials/components, where materials/components were purchased, and number of hours required for construction.
  2. Label all parts. Necessary components which must be included are grip, line guides (based on manufacturers specifications), guide wraps, and hook keeper. Reel seat needs to be aligned with guides, and guides aligned accurately down rod. Guide wraps of size A to D, nylon or silk thread. Exhibit will be judged on: workmanship, labeling of parts, information, and neatness. 

D343003. Casting Target. (SF170A) Make a casting target for exhibit and use. Target must be under 48" x 48". The bullseyes must be 2 feet, outer band must be 1 foot in diameter   and can have up to three rings. The exhibit must be easy to store, durable, and weather resistant. Include the purpose and rules of using your casting target.  

D343004. Wildlife Harvesting Equipment. (SF168A) Board exhibit. Display of equipment used in harvesting wildlife. Examples: expended ammunition casings (no live ammunition permitted), steel traps, hide stretchers, fleshers, etc. For displays of shotguns, rifles, or bows, use drawings or pictures. Label all items displayed: 

  1. The purpose of each item
  2. When or where it is used 
  3. Any personal experiences you’ve had with the item(s) 

D343005. Inventing Wildlife/Fish Harvesting Equipment, Aid or Accessory. (SF168A) Use engineering principles to invent or adapt equipment that helps you harvest fish or wildlife. This could include wildlife calls, adapted fishing pole for shallow water, a blind, decoys, etc. Share your drawing (or adapted plans), how the equipment works, how you tested it, and the results of testing your prototype, and any adjustments you made. 

 

DIVISION 346: TAXIDERMY 

D346001. Tanned Hides. (SF172A) Exhibit of a wild animal hide properly processed by the member. No requirement as to mounting but must meet the size requirement listed under General Rules. Must include the animal’s name and the following: 

  1. Information about the 4-H member’s4-H member's personal field experiences, study, OR observations that relate to the exhibit 

 

D346002 – Taxidermy. - (SF172A) - Any legal fish, bird, or other wild animal properly processed by the member. No requirement as to size or mounting. Must include the following information: - the animal's name - information about the 4-H member’s4-H member's personal field experiences, study, or observations that relate to the exhibit. 

DIVISION 347: 4-H SHOOTING SPORTS ***State Fair Eligible*** 

4-H Shooting Sports requires 4-H members to be under the direct leadership of a certified 4-H Shooting Sports Leader in either shotgun, rifle (BB gun), archery, pistol, black powder/muzzleloader, and/or hunting skills. No firearms can be entered as an exhibit; however, information can be shared through pictures. 

D347001. Shooting Aid or Accessory. (SF253A) Any item, which helps the shooter/hunter, better perform their sport, examples: rifle sling, kneeling roll, arm guard, shotgun vest, target boxes, shooting stick, etc. Include your design, or plans you adapted, what the item is and used for. 

D347002. Storage Case. (SF253A) An item with the purpose to safely hold a firearm, bow, ammunition, and/or arrows, examples: soft sided shotgun case, quivers, firearm safe. Include your design or plans you adapted. Explain how the storage case is used. 

D347003. Practice Game or Activity. (SF255A) Invent or adapt an activity to practice or teach a project skill. Include pictures of youth playing the game, testimonials of 4-H members who played the game, what skill is being worked on and directions for the game. Explain how you came up with the game or adapted it to fit the needs of your group members. 

D347004. Science, Engineering, Technology Advancements of Shooting Sports, Conservation, or Wildlife Essay or Display. (SF256A) Choose a specific area of shooting sports and share how it has advanced, include a timeline and photos or illustrations. Keep your topic narrow and manageable. Essays are limited to 1,000 words and should be on 8.5 inch x 11 inch paper. 

D347005. Healthy Lifestyles Plan. (SF257A) Include a shooter’s (hiker’s, camper’s, anglers) diet and exercise plan, and how the 4-H member will benefit or improve from following the plan. Ideally, the 4-H member would follow the plan and include some journal entries about adaptations or improvements made while following the plan. 

D347006. Citizenship/Leadership Project. (SF258A) Share a display on a citizenship project or leadership project the 4-H member took on individually or with a group to improve some aspect related to 4-H Shooting Sports, Conservation, or Wildlife. Examples could be range development, conservation planting to attract wildlife, a camp, 4-H recruitment event. Include who benefitted from the project, what the 4-H member’s role was and any results. 

D347007. Career Development/College Essay, Interview or Display. (SF252A) Research opportunities for careers related to this area or opportunities for college majors or college activities to help discover using project skills beyond a person’s 4-H career. Essays are limited to 1,000 words and should be on 8.5 inch x 11inch paper. Interviews need to include a picture of the interviewee in their work setting, questions asked and transcript of answers. 

D347008. Community Vitality Display. (SF251A) Explore the difference shooting sports, conservation, fishing, and hunting make in keeping Nebraska vibrant especially in rural areas. Present facts and research in an interesting way for the public to learn from. 

D34709. Ag Literacy-Value Added Agriculture Interview or Research Project. (SF250A) Explore how traditional Ag producers are adding value to their production agriculture operations through conservation efforts, hunting, raising pheasants, shooting sports related tourism, etc. Present finding, in an interesting way for the public to learn from. 

D3347010 Shooting Sports Educational Exhibit or Display (SF254A) – Create an educational exhibit or display relating to a topic about Shooting Sports.  Displays involving firearms or bows may be exhibited as a photographic display on a poster or in a notebook. Handmade items must include information explaining how the item was made and its intended use. Photos are encouraged.  

 

DIVISION 361: OTHER NATURAL RESOURCES 

D361001. Design Your Own Exhibit in Natural Resources, Conservation, Geology, or Ecology. (SF164)This class is for educational exhibits relating to natural resources, conservation, geology, or ecology ONLY! Entries must be appropriate for fair display and no larger than 24 inches x 24 inches. All entries must include a title and should be clear (a brief explanation or other method) about the intended purpose or message – what the exhibit is meant to show. Think about accuracy, creativity, and educational value for viewers, and evidence of 4-H member's personal experiences and learning. 

Dawes County Fair Book