4-H team advances to national wildlife habitat education competition
June 8, 2026
By Traci Rushing
University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts
- Stone County 4-H team advances to nationals
- Annual contest tests knowledge of wildlife and habitat management
- National competition to be held in South Carolina
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Download photos from contest
MONTICELLO, Ark. — A team of Stone County 4-H members will represent Arkansas next month at the 2026 National Wildlife Habitat Education Program Competition in South Carolina, where their knowledge of conservation, land stewardship and wildlife ecology will be put to the test.
The team — comprised of Archer Kennon, Mary Ellen Rodgers and Anastasia Whyman — won first place at the state competition held at the University of Arkansas at Monticello in late April. The Lawrence County team of Justin Morris, Jacob Neal and Alonzo Wilson-Vasquez finished second.
Commonly called WHEP, the annual contest brings together junior and senior 4-H members from across Arkansas to compete in wildlife and habitat management events that test their knowledge. The winning team advances to the national competition. This year’s event will be held July 26-29 in North Myrtle Beach.
WHEP is a national 4-H and FFA program designed to help students develop knowledge and skills related to wildlife identification, habitat management and conservation practices. The 2026 state competition focused on the Eastern Deciduous Forest ecoregion and incorporated wildlife species from urban and wetland habitats.
“We were excited to welcome students, families, volunteers and county staff from across the state to campus for this important educational event,” said Tiffany Osborne, UAM wildlife biologist and coordinator of the event. “Programs like WHEP give students valuable hands-on learning experiences while encouraging future careers in natural resources and conservation.”
In the junior team division, Drew County’s team, consisting of Chaplin Spencer, Gatsby Spencer and Cheyenne Lanthrip, finished in first place. White County’s team, consisting of Carleigh Cooper, Madilyn O’Dell, Andy Ferren and Trey Lovell, placed second.
Top finishers in the senior individual division included:
- First place - Rebecca Boyd, White County
- Second place - Alonzo Wilson Vasquez, Lawrence County
- Third place - Shepherd Collom, White County
- Fourth place - Waylon Duke, Garland County
- Fifth place - Preston Bazare, Grant County
Top finishers in the junior individual division included:
- First place - Carleigh Cooper, White County
- Second place - Noah Oldner, Grant County
- Third place - Aubrey Kennon, Stone County
- Fourth place - Abigail Witt, Lawrence County
- Fifth place - Eowyn Blakely, Grant County
The Arkansas WHEP program highlights a different ecoregion each year, helping participants gain a greater appreciation for the state’s diverse wildlife habitats and management challenges. The event also provides educational opportunities for parents, coaches and other attendees while promoting conservation awareness and stewardship among Arkansas youth.
For more information about 4-H or the WHEP program, visit the 4-H Wildlife Education page or contact your local county extension office.
About the College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Arkansas Forest Resources Center
The College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources, and the Arkansas Forest Resources Center, a University of Arkansas System Center of Excellence, brings together interdisciplinary expertise through a partnership between the University of Arkansas at Monticello and the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. The College and Center are headquartered at the University of Arkansas at Monticello campus, but their programs range statewide with the mission of developing and delivering teaching, research, and extension programs that enhance and ensure the sustainability and productivity of forest-based natural resources and agricultural systems. Academic programs are delivered by the College of Forestry, Agriculture, and Natural Resources through the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Through the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, research is administered by the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, and extension and outreach activities are coordinated by the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.
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Media Contact:
Traci Rushing
UAM College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources
trushing@uada.edu
870-460-1852