Region 5 Wildlife and Land Judging Contest at Flat Top Ranch

Joining a host of agencies and conservation personnel, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) co-sponsored the eighth annual Wildlife and Land Judging Contest for Region 5 on April 15, 2008, at Flat Top Ranch near Walnut Springs, Texas. This year’s contest had 49 teams and 167 students from schools within the region.

The contest was sponsored in conjunction with the Texas Wildlife Alliance for Youth (WAY), a program to support and promote proper management and conservation of wildlife and natural resources.

“This regional competition helps the students establish a base for education in conservation management targeting wildlife and natural resources,” said Carolann Corado, soil and water conservation district manager in Bowie, Texas. “The Region 5 contest is the largest one in Texas, and we had more students competing this year than any competition to date.”

WAY is a wildlife and management career development event for FFA and 4-H Club youths in Texas. High school students learn management skills and are given the opportunity to apply their knowledge. The students contemplate nine areas in the competition, which are used in all regional and state contests. These areas include plant identification, plant preferences, biological facts, habitat evaluation and management, fish and game laws, safety, techniques, as well as compass and pacing.

After this contest, Region 5 ended up with 17 teams that will be going to the state competition in San Angelo, Texas, on May 13, 2008.

In a very close competition, the overall top three team winners were Lingleville (309 points), Jacksboro (306 points) and Grandview (305 points) Independent School Districts. Eric Proctor (Lingleville) was the first place individual winner with a total of 113 points.

Sponsors teaming up for the contest included NRCS, Texas Parks and Wildlife, SWCD employees, and Texas State Soil and Water field representatives and regional personnel.