Future tree climbers and treehouses rely on you! Learn the importance of conserving forest land. You’ll gain citizenship, leadership skills, and practical forest management skills, like identifying tree diseases and the use of a compass in a forest. By learning these skills you will be better prepared to own forest land or deal with environmental issues in the future.
In preparation for the National 4-H Forestry Invitational, you will learn the following skills:
- Tree identification
- Tree measurement
- Forest evaluation
- Compass orienteering
- Topographic map use
- Forest insect and disease identification
Resources
- Training Materials and References for the Forestry Invitational
- Field Guide for the Eastman Nature Trail
- 4-H Forestry Project Curriculum
Contests
National 4-H Forestry Invitational
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. This contest is a three day competition involving tree measurement, tree identification, forest evaluation, the use of a compass and topographic maps, identification of tree insects and diseases, and finally the forestry bowl and the written exam. Visit the National 4-H Forestry website for more information.
Natural Resources Photography Contest
The Texas 4-H Natural Resources Photography Contest encourages observation within specific Natural Resources project areas and allows youth to demonstrate skills learned in the area of photography, including the use of photographic equipment and processing of photographs. This contest provides another opportunity to showcase the photographic work of 4-H members in all age divisions.