# Event Details - **Event Name**: Oconee WHEP training 2026 - **Event Start and End Date**: Mon, 12 Jan, 2026 at 04:30 pm – Sat, 18 Apr, 2026 at 12:00 pm (-05:00) - **Event Description**: Learn about wildlife of SC, how to ID and manage them. Prepare to compete in SC WHEP contest (optional). Jr + Srs M 4:30-5:30, Srs W 4:30.About this EventWhile these are free trainings, REGISTRATION FOR EACH DAY IS REQUIRED as space is limited.In addition, youth MUST submit emergency contact, photo consent, and health information to participate through 4-H membership or the Oconee Co. Parks form. 4-H or FFA Membership is required for participation in the state competition - so please complete one of the following:Enroll or renew as a South Carolina 4-H member. 4-H membership is REQUIRED for participation in the competition (make sure you choose WHEP as a club). The $15 annual fee is covered by a grant just obtained by Oconee County Parks (thank you Gina!), so mark "pay by check" in the payment option.If you are not a current 4-H member and do not plan to participate in the competition, or are a FFA member, please fill out a participant form for each trainee ( or ). This form only needs to be completed once for each participant.The Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP) is a hands-on environmental education program that provides participants an opportunity to test their wildlife knowledge in a friendly competition, as each state supporting WHEP conducts an annual contest where teams of 3-4 similarly aged individuals gather. Participants in this training are not required to compete - but if interested, additional information is at the end of this description. (Competitors MUST be 4-H or FFA members in good standing)- more information will be shared during the training.WHEP is a 4-H and FFA youth natural resource program dedicated to teaching wildlife and fisheries habitat management to junior and senior-level (Jrs 9-13, srs14 -18, unless otherwise approved) youth in the United States.What do Participants Study? (Download or order the WHEP manual at the National WHEP page)Learn to identify wildlife visually, by sound, and by remains, tracks, scat, etc (Animals not covered in this years training listed at the end of the description)Learn wildlife terms and conceptsLearn about wildlife habitatLearn how to judge the quality of wildlife habitatLearn about wildlife habitat management practicesLearn about wildlife damage managementThis training is hands-on learning for youth (ages 9-18) to gain knowledge and skills related to South Carolina wildlife and habitat management. Planned topics are as follows:NOTE - January is mostly for folks new to WHEP or those who want a refresher of the basics.Monday, January 12 4:30-5:30ish (for New Students or anyone who wants a refresher): Paperwork, What is WHEP?, go over how classes will run, Management Plan OverviewWednesday, January 14 4:30-5:30ish (Seniors only)Monday, January 19: No ClassMonday, January 26 4:30-5:30ish (for New Students or anyone who wants a refresher) Management Plan OverviewMonday, February 2 4:30-5:30ish:Animals covered: coyote, bluegill, wild turkey, Canada goose, mallard, minkConcepts covered: *setback succession, *conservation easementMonday, February 9 4:30-5:30ish:Animals covered: rock pigeon, ruby-throated hummingbird, song sparrow, spotted sandpiper, Wilsons snipe, big brown bat, eastern indigo snake, eastern snapping turtle, gopher tortoise, crawfish frogWednesday, February 11 4:30-5:30ish: (Seniors only)February 16: No ClassMonday, February 23 4:30-5:30ish:Animals covered: northern bobwhite, eastern fox squirrel, eastern cottontail, wood duck, northern pintail, common muskrat, channel catfishConcepts covered: *turbidity, *lime pond, *livestock management, *construct pond, *stock fish pond, *repair spillway/ leveeMonday, March 2 4:30-5:30ish:Animals covered: mourning dove, redhead, wild pig, raccoon, largemouth bassConcepts covered: *plant trees/ shrubs, *damage managementMonday, March 9 4:30-5:30ish: Practice IdentificationWednesday, March 11 4:30-5:30ish: (Seniors only)Monday, March 16 4:30-5:30ish:white-tailed deer, river otter, eastern gray squirrel, Virginia railConcepts covered: *forest management, *field borders, *edge featheringMonday, March 23 4:30-5:30ish:Animals Covered: American beaver, American bullfrog, Virginia railConcepts covered: *delay crop harvestMonday, March 30 4:30-5:30ish: Management Plan PracticeMonday, April 6 4:30-5:30ish: Topic TBD based on needMonday, April 13 4:30-5:30ish: Practice IdentificationWednesday, April 15 4:30-5:30ish: (Seniors only)FIELD DAY!!! Saturday, April 18 9AM-12PM: Off-Site Management Plan PracticeMonday, April 20: No ClassApril 24 or May 1: State contest, Sandhill Research and Education Center, Columbia SC (Plan on a little over ½ day for Jr., Full day for Sr.)July 26-29: National ContestFor questions and information about this training, please reach out to Gina Spear, South Cove County Park at gspear@oconeesc.comThe South Carolina WHEP State Contest will be held at the Baruch Institute(Georgetown, SC) on Saturday April 12. Lunch and an event t-shirt will be provided to registered participants. Additional lunches and t-shirts can be purchased for $15each with registration as needed.(Plan on a little over ½ day for Jr., Full day for Sr.)Youth may register as a team (3 or 4 people per team, $45/team) or as an individual ($15). The contest is set up for:Junior Division (9-13 years of age)Senior Division (14-18 years of age)Ages are calculated as of January 1, 2025The registration deadline for the WHEP State Contest is Friday, March 21st, 2025For WHEP questions related to 4-H, please contact Mallory Maher at mallord@clemson.edu; for WHEP questions related to FFA, please contact Jason Gore at jdgore@clemson.edu.The 2026 National WHEP Competition will be held July 26-29, 2026 at the Future Farmers of America Leadership Center in North Myrtle Beach, marking the first time South Carolina has hosted the event since 1992!!!!__________________________________Membership requirement: Current 4-H membership in is required for participation in the state competition. Membership is not required to participate in training, but for non-members an Oconee County Parks participant form must be completed ( or ).Custodial Care: Please note that 4-H and Clemson Extension do not assume custodial care of youth in attendance. Adults (parents, guardians, volunteers, coaches, teachers, or other chaperones) presence is determined by Oconee County Parks, Recreation, and Tourism regulations.Civil Rights StatementAnimals not covered in this years training (this does NOT mean they will not be in the competition! Individuals are responsible for learning about these organisms on their own)American bitternAmerican robinbarred owlcommon nighthawkEuropean starlinghouse finchhouse sparrowhouse wrenloggerhead shrikenorthern flickerperegrine falconprothonotary warblerred-cockaded woodpeckerred-eyed vireotiger salamander - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/clover/oconee-whep-training-2026/100001962438525457 - **Event Categories**: contests, workshops, health-wellness - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 0 ## Ticket Details - **Ticket Price Range**: min: 0, max: 0, currency: USD ## Event venue details - **city**: Clover - **state**: SC - **country**: United States - **location**: TBD - **lat**: 34.6748292 - **long**: -82.8353369 - **full address**: TBD, TBD, Clover, United States ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: Oconee WHEP training 2026 - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events5/banners/9797f05ce96e818d7bcffee6511ff0ef63fde4cfee562a5f3c25f893fe09932a-rimg-w1200-h659-dc161714-gmir.jpg?v=1762847963 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is Oconee WHEP training 2026 being held? - **A:** Oconee WHEP training 2026 takes place on Mon, 12 Jan, 2026 at 04:30 pm to Sat, 18 Apr, 2026 at 12:00 pm at TBD, TBD, Clover, United States. - **Q**: Who is organizing Oconee WHEP training 2026? - **A:** Oconee WHEP training 2026 is organized by Oconee County 4-H. - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** Oconee WHEP training 2026 is ideal for curious learners, students, and skill-builders looking to gain hands-on knowledge and practical expertise in a focused, interactive setting. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Clover, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. 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