Virginia team members Lauren Friedman, Meredith Kope, Lauren Kope, and Matt Roberts, all of Loudoun County, won the right to represent Virginia at the state 4-H contest held in Augusta County in May. Contestants in the contest identify wildlife foods, prescribe wildlife management practices, interpret aerial photos, and create rural and urban wildlife management plans. Ann Gallus, 4-H volunteer leader of the Loudoun County Wildlife Club, and Jenny Mercer, Augusta County 4-H Extension Agent, coached the team.
Prior to the contest the Virginia team spent one week studying the hot desert and surrounding bioregions, including Intermountain- foothills, Intermountain- sagebrush, Montane, and Subalpine regions. The team visited five national parks and monuments in preparation for the contest. Major sponsors for the Virginia State team included: Virginia Division of the Izaak Walton League of America, Geese Police, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Loudoun County High School PTA, Farm Credit/Country Mortgages, Plant a Plant Company, Loudoun 4-H Leaders Association and Ashburn Ruritan Club.
The National Invitational is sponsored by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, International Paper, National Rifle Association and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. The 2004 Contest will be held on the campus of Virginia Tech and nearby Jefferson National Forest. State sponsors for the Virginia event are needed. For more information, contact Jeff Kirwan, Extension Specialist, VA Tech College of Natural Resources, Mail Code 0324, Blacksburg, VA; phone 540-231-7265.