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Youth Wildlife Projects

These projects are based on fifty-one original Southern Region Wildlife Projects that were created in the 1970s by the USDA and the National 4-H Council.

In 1999, a grant was recived from the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and with additional funding from the Renewal Resources Extension Act, North Carolina State University's Department of 4-H and Youth Development teamed up with natural resource professionals to revise 24 of the original 51 projects.

The wildlife projects use inquiry-based learning strategies to develop important life skills including critical thinking, wise use of resources, and communication. Other objectives include:

  • Help youth understand how our wildlife species fit togheter in a natural environment.
  • Increase knowledge of how wildlife can be managed.
  • Gain appreciation of intrinsic, environmental, and economic value of wildlife resources.
  • Raise insight regarding wildlife-human interactions.

The projects are divided into two age groups; 9-12 and 13-15. Though they were originally created and marketed to 4-H volunteer leaders, agents, and youth, their use is for any educator, parent, or youth that is interested in learning and teaching about wildlife. The documents are provided in a pdf format for downloading and printing. If needed, a free pdf reader is provided by Adobe, and can be downloaded by following this link to the Adobe web site.

Ages 9-12

paw print Animal Appetites
paw print Beavers: Ecosystem Engineers
paw print Bird Furniture
paw print Earthworm Composting
paw print Fishing Bait
paw print Leaping Lizards
paw print Nature's Footprint
paw print Nest Structures for Mourning Doves
paw print Pools of Life
paw print Southeastern Serpents
paw print Tools for Archers
paw print Turtle Tales

Ages 13-15

paw print Butterfly Buffet
paw print Estuaries: Nature's Water Filters
paw print Farming for Wildlife
paw print Houses for Wood Ducks
paw print Hunting and Fishing Sportsmanship
paw print Pond Management: Good Fishing in the Balance
paw print Sharing Space with Wildlife
paw print Monitoring Macroinvertebrates
paw print Talking Turkey
paw print Urban Wildlife: Our Animal Neighbors
paw print Wild Game: From Field to Table
paw print Would You LIke to be a Wildlife Professional?

Download a two-page handout about the wildlife projects

Questions about the projects? Contact Renee.
Comments or questions about this web site?renee_strnad@ncsu.edu