Natural Resources Program

The Texas 4-H Program offers diverse projects and activities involving exploring and experiencing the vast natural resources within the state.  Projects include 4-H Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP), 4-H Outdoor Challenge, 4-H Wildlife Project, 4-H Sportfishing Project, 4-H Shooting Sports Project, events and activities related to each project, a variety of summer camp experiences, and a wide array of curriculum enrichment school programs. In addition, training opportunities are available for adults and youth throughout the year.  Dates and locations are frequently updated on the Texas 4-H Natural Resources Program calendar and within specific program webpages.
WHEP – Wildlife Habitat Education Program. The Texas 4-H Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP) is an interactive program that teaches youth about wildlife, habitat, habitat management, and natural resources stewardship. In addition, life skills such as team work, critical thinking, public speaking, and observation are underlying objectives in this youth development effort. Creating educated and involved stewards of natural resources is the long term goal. Visit the WHEP website for more information.
Outdoor Challenge. As never before, today’s youth face an ever-increasing disassociation with nature and its resources. This is as a result of many factors including urbanization, educational priorities, family structure, culture, priorities, values, and beliefs. This trend is detrimental not only to the individual’s knowledge and awareness of the resource, but also (and likely more important) a detriment to the resource itself. This disassociation with nature can lead to lost learning opportunities, potential lack of involvement, and/or loss of natural resources. The Texas 4-H Outdoor Challenge will help address this situation through an experiential, educational contest conducted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service personnel and other natural resource professionals. Visit the Outdoor Challenge website for more information.
Sportfishing Project. Fishing is an easy outdoor activity that is fun for the entire family, and provides much more than just the catch. Remember though, the activity is called “fishing”, not “catching”. Fishing can involve exploring a different world at the water’s edge, kicking back in the shade and enjoying company while the bait soaks, dipping your toes in the water and watching the sun set, and many more relaxing and rewarding experiences just by being present. Fishing can be inexpensive and accessible with abundant city, county, and state public waterways available. Don’t snub the ‘Snoopy’ rod and a can of kernel corn. Kids under the age of 17 are not required to have a Texas fishing license. Texas state parks do not require fishing licenses within their boundaries making it easy to get you hooked. The 4-H Sportfishing Project provides all of this with a positive youth development atmosphere. Adult leader training creates local mentors to share the knowledge, experience, and tradition with youth involved in the project. As with all projects within the 4-H Natural Resources Program, Sportfishing will help establish the stewardship of our resources necessary to insure strong future leadership. Visit the Sportfishing website for more information.
Shooting Sports Project. The Shooting Sports Project is a comprehensive introduction to shooting sports safety and the fundamentals of archery, pistol, rifle, shotgun, muzzleloading, and hunting. Youth may participate in one or more of the listed disciplines, however, all disciplines may not be offered in every county. The project concentrates on a strong youth development approach based upon long-term mentorship. Also offered are district and state-wide family involvement activities and programs for youth of all ages. Visit the Shooting Sports website for more information.
Wildlife Project. Wildlife is all around us regardless of where we live and how wild or not the world around us seems. Only a matter of observation will open a person’s eyes, along with their other senses, to the natural world of the living creatures among us. The 4-H Wildlife Project can offer opportunities for youth development beginning with observation skills leading to a lifelong ethic of stewardship for our natural resources. The 4-H Natural Resources Program provides trainings and events for youth and adults to develop and enhance the knowledge and skills necessary for an adventure in wildlife.Visit the Wildlife Project website for more information.
Related Activities & Resources

  • Wildlife Conservation Camp – PDF
  • Wildlife Conservation Camp Application – PDF
  • Wildlife Challenge Description – State Roundup – PDF
  • Wildlife Challenge State Roundup Resource: NRA Hunter’s Guide – link
  • Wildlife Habitat Management Online Resource – PDF
  • Burdett & Son Outdoor Adventure Shop Summer Hunter Education CampJune 25-28, 2012, 9am-4pm, youth ages 14-17For info: http://www.burdettandson.com/ or 979-695-2807
Texas 4-H Natural Resources Program Refund Policy.4-H Connect has a general NO REFUND POLICY. However, for Texas 4-H Natural Resources events, written/email refund requests received prior to two weeks from the event start date will be granted minus a 15% processing fee. Written/email requests received later than two weeks prior to event start date will be granted minus a 50% processing fee.All refund requests should include whom the refund check should be written to (County/Club/Individual) and a mailing address. Requests must be emailed to: tx4hnaturalresources@tamu.edu Please note: Refund requests may take up to 6-8 weeks for processing and delivery of check.

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