In this engaging episode of Tennessee WildCast, we dive into the National Wildlife Habitat Education Program at the Clyde M. York 4-H Center in Crossville, Tennessee. Joined by Dr. Jim Byford, the program’s founder and former University of Tennessee Martin Agriculture Professor, and Dr. Craig Harper, a University of Tennessee Professor and Extension Wildlife Specialist, the show explores the origins and impact of this transformative youth initiative. Starting in 1972 to boost quail and rabbit populations on private lands, Dr. Byford leveraged 4-H to teach kids wildlife management, cleverly engaging parents who own land. By 1977, inspired by judging contests, he developed a wildlife habitat evaluation contest, which grew from a Tennessee program to a national phenomenon by 1989, involving multiple states and FFA teams. Dr. Harper, who took the reins in 1998, modernized the manual and strengthened partnerships with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, ensuring the program’s success. The episode highlights the contest’s structure, including an educational day to orient students, a wildlife challenge for species identification, and activities where teams devise and defend habitat management plans. These efforts foster critical life skills like teamwork, communication, and confidence while deepening participants’ understanding of natural resources. With stories of Tennessee’s eight-year national winning streak and the program’s lasting influence on students—some entering wildlife professions or influencing land management—this episode underscores the program’s role in shaping future conservationists. Tune in to hear how this Tennessee-born initiative continues to inspire youth nationwide, blending competition with education to promote sustainable wildlife management.

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