Forests, Rangeland and Wildlife Project

• Learn about different forest habitats
• What is the difference between conifers/deciduous
• What is native grassland mean
• What types of animals are native to your area
• How to mount grass/leaf specimens

• Understand the importance of forestry, rangeland and wildlife management
• Understand why forests, rangeland and wildlife are important to the ecosystem balance
• Identify plant pathogens of your area
• Examine the effect of aquatic nuisance species on area lakes
• Set up a bird feeding station and record visitors

• Create a community forest map
• Help monitor for occurrences of Emerald Ash borers
• Create a habitat for native wildlife
• Plant an area with native forbs for pollinators
• Assist in civil scientist monitoring activities for species of concern

Adopt a tree to maintain at a local park, volunteer for a community clean up day, build nesting habitats for local parks.

Give a talk to a local school about the importance of natural habitats, create a display of native plants/animals, write a newspaper or social media article about native wildlife.

Start a tree care business, start native wildflowers to be planted in local gardens, build birdhouses or feeders for homeowners.

Learn how to take soil samples and have them analyzed, create a virtual scavenger hunt for trees in a local park, learn about tracking techniques used on wildlife.

County Fair/Achievement Days, North Dakota State Fair, Communication Arts, Project EXPO, 4-H Wildlife Camp.

• Create a tree leaf or native grass collection

• Create a comparison of different wildlife tracks

• Build a bat house - Make a collection of native grass seeds

• Make a display of a grazing rotation plan

• Do a freshwater mussel survey for a local river

• Determine weather patterns using tree rings

• Use a fish scale, determine the age of the fish

• Keep a wildlife journal

• Create a plan for a native wildflower garden

• National 4-H Curriculum
  • Follow the Path (DDA111)
  • Reach for the Canopy (DDA112)
  • Explore the Deep Woods (DDA113)
  • Forestry Helper’s Guide (DDA211)
• Educational Trunks
• 4-H Virtual Forest

• Planning for My Project Adventure (PA093)
• ND 4-H Project Plan (PA095)
• ND 4-H Plan of Action (PA096)
• ND 4-H Participation Summary for 11-to 19 year-olds (PA098)

• State 4-H Land Judging
• State 4-H Range Judging

• U.S. Forest Service
• North Dakota Forest Service
• Champion Trees of ND

Reading Tree “Cookies” Recipe

In this activity, youth will trace environmental and historical changes using a cross section of a tree, or “tree cookie.”

• Tree “cookie” (check with local forester or tree trimming service)
• Pushpins
• Small paper flags
• Pen or pencil

Using the tree rings, determine how old the tree cookie is and what year it was planted. Using the push pins and paper flags, write significant dates and pin them on the appropriate year.