National Forestry Invitational Contest
Contact:
Dr. Montza Williams, Regional Program Director - 4-H
mwilliam@ag.tamu.edu 903-834-6191
The National 4-H Forestry Invitational is the national championship of 4-H forestry. Each year, since 1980, teams of 4-H Foresters gather at Jackson’s Mill State 4-H Conference Center at Weston, WV, to meet, compete, and have fun. Jackson’s Mill is the boyhood home of General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, hero of the Civil War, and a historic setting for the Invitational. Jackson’s Mill State 4-H Conference Center is the first and oldest 4-H camp in the United States and is operated by West Virginia University.
The purpose of the Invitational is to develop appreciation for the importance of conserving forest land as a source of products, benefits, and services necessary for quality living. 4-H Foresters learn citizenship and leadership skills as well as practical forest management skills through participation in the 4-H Forestry Invitational. By learning these skills young people will be better prepared to own forest land or deal with environmental issues in the future.
4-H Foresters participate in forestry skills and knowledge events over two days of competition, including:
Tree Identification
Tree Measurement
Forest Evaluation
Compass Orienteering
Topographic Map Use
Forest Insect and Disease Identification
Forestry Bowl
Forestry Written Exam
Additional Invitational activities include local tours, campfires, and woodsmen skills fun competition.
The Invitational is sponsored by the International Paper Company Foundation through the Cooperative Extension Service. The event is organized and conducted by a management committee comprised of Cooperative Extension Service specialists and agents, International Paper Company employees, and professional foresters from the U.S. Forest Service, the West Virginia Division of Forestry and forestry agencies from other state governments.
Expenses are responsibility of the team representing Texas. |
Texas A&M System -