GAINESVILLE ‒ More than 70 youth from 16 counties attended the annual Florida 4-H Forest Ecology contest on Saturday, March 30 at University of Florida School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Science’s Austin Cary Forest in Gainesville. The enthusiastic contestants, ages 8 to 18, demonstrated impressive knowledge of forest ecology and management.
To prepare for this contest, 4-Hers studied topics including compass and pacing; forest health; forest management; tree measurement; and identifying ecosystems, trees, and wildlife. One junior 4-Her said the best thing about the contest was “getting to learn about nature with my friends.”
Thirty volunteers from the University of Florida, the U.S Forest Service and other state agencies, plus local community members made this contest possible.
The competition concluded with awards to the high scorers. Pinellas County Senior Jocelyn Wood took the blue ribbon in individual scoring. In addition to that ribbon, Wood won a $500 scholarship to UF’s SFFGS.
“I am so excited because I am going to use that scholarship,” she said. “My mind is blown.”
Wood said she will attend the University of Florida in the fall and will study forestry at SFFGS.
Alachua County’s William Pruden won first place in the highest individual scoring for the Intermediate group.
And students Lane Taylor, Kylie Goodson, Cora Taylor, Ada Perryman from Marion County won first place in the team effort for seniors.
State 4-H Events Coordinator Courtney Quirie congratulated participants and thanked parents and event planners for their support. “I can’t wait to hear what you all do at nationals,” she said to the winners during the awards ceremony.
Contest Coordinator Elise Cassie, who also serves as the Project Learning Tree Coordinator for SFFGS, said the event was a success.
“The Florida 4-H Forest Ecology Contest is a unique opportunity for youth to explore the world around them, find life affirming skills, and connect with other who share the same interests,” Cassie said. “This is the only program that I know of in the state that offers this and it deserves all of the support we can provide.”
The highest scoring senior team is eligible to compete in the National 4-H Forestry Invitational which will be held in July at the Jackson’s Mill State 4-H Conference Center in Weston, West Virginia. Florida won the 2023 competition.
This year’s contest winners:
The highest individual scoring Juniors (ages 8 to 10) were:
First Place Jada Foucha from Sumter County
Second Place Jocelyn Gardis from Leon County
Third Place Addison Upton from Marion County
The highest scoring Junior teams were:
First Place Addilyn Childs, Jada Foucha, Caroline Cattrell from Sumter County
Second Place Addalynn Upton, Callie Rae Cassidy from Marion County
Third Place Eden Wilkins, Ava Balzersen, Lily Toman from Sumter County
The highest individual scoring Intermediate (ages 11-13) were:
First Place William Pruden from Alachua County
Second Place Isabella Wise from Okaloosa County
Third Place Madison Wall Marion County
The highest scoring Intermediate teams were:
First Place Caleb Force, Forest DeRoy, Jacob Metzgar, Madison Wall from Marion County
Second Place Isabella Wise, Kaden Wise, Kayleigh Thames from Okaloosa County
Third Place Charles Wood, Charlotte Watkins, Christian Galiano, Ellis Godfrey from Pinellas County
The highest individual scoring Seniors (ages 14 to 19) were:
First Place Jocelyn Wood from Pinellas County
Second Place Ada Perryman from Marion County
Third Place Helena Peterson from St. Johns County
The highest scoring Senior teams were:
First Place Lane Taylor, Kylie Goodson, Cora Taylor, Ada Perryman from Marion County
Second Place Annalise Watkins, Jocelyn Wood, Maleah Godfrey, Wesley Wood from Pinellas
Third Place Helena Peterson, Juliette Wells, Savannah Wells, Waylon Wells from St. Johns County
Volunteer help is critical to the success of the contest, whether it is with scoring, leading 4-H groups, or helping at one of the stations. Find out how you can help with next year’s event by contacting Elise Cassie at ecassie@ufl.edu.
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Email editor@
alachuatoday.com
GAINESVILLE ‒ More than 70 youth from 16 counties attended the annual Florida 4-H Forest Ecology contest on Saturday, March 30 at University of Florida School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Science’s Austin Cary Forest in Gainesville. The enthusiastic contestants, ages 8 to 18, demonstrated impressive knowledge of forest ecology and management.
To prepare for this contest, 4-Hers studied topics including compass and pacing; forest health; forest management; tree measurement; and identifying ecosystems, trees, and wildlife. One junior 4-Her said the best thing about the contest was “getting to learn about nature with my friends.”
Thirty volunteers from the University of Florida, the U.S Forest Service and other state agencies, plus local community members made this contest possible.
The competition concluded with awards to the high scorers. Pinellas County Senior Jocelyn Wood took the blue ribbon in individual scoring. In addition to that ribbon, Wood won a $500 scholarship to UF’s SFFGS.
“I am so excited because I am going to use that scholarship,” she said. “My mind is blown.”
Wood said she will attend the University of Florida in the fall and will study forestry at SFFGS.
Alachua County’s William Pruden won first place in the highest individual scoring for the Intermediate group.
And students Lane Taylor, Kylie Goodson, Cora Taylor, Ada Perryman from Marion County won first place in the team effort for seniors.
State 4-H Events Coordinator Courtney Quirie congratulated participants and thanked parents and event planners for their support. “I can’t wait to hear what you all do at nationals,” she said to the winners during the awards ceremony.
Contest Coordinator Elise Cassie, who also serves as the Project Learning Tree Coordinator for SFFGS, said the event was a success.
“The Florida 4-H Forest Ecology Contest is a unique opportunity for youth to explore the world around them, find life affirming skills, and connect with other who share the same interests,” Cassie said. “This is the only program that I know of in the state that offers this and it deserves all of the support we can provide.”
The highest scoring senior team is eligible to compete in the National 4-H Forestry Invitational which will be held in July at the Jackson’s Mill State 4-H Conference Center in Weston, West Virginia. Florida won the 2023 competition.
This year’s contest winners:
The highest individual scoring Juniors (ages 8 to 10) were:
First Place Jada Foucha from Sumter County
Second Place Jocelyn Gardis from Leon County
Third Place Addison Upton from Marion County
The highest scoring Junior teams were:
First Place Addilyn Childs, Jada Foucha, Caroline Cattrell from Sumter County
Second Place Addalynn Upton, Callie Rae Cassidy from Marion County
Third Place Eden Wilkins, Ava Balzersen, Lily Toman from Sumter County
The highest individual scoring Intermediate (ages 11-13) were:
First Place William Pruden from Alachua County
Second Place Isabella Wise from Okaloosa County
Third Place Madison Wall Marion County
The highest scoring Intermediate teams were:
First Place Caleb Force, Forest DeRoy, Jacob Metzgar, Madison Wall from Marion County
Second Place Isabella Wise, Kaden Wise, Kayleigh Thames from Okaloosa County
Third Place Charles Wood, Charlotte Watkins, Christian Galiano, Ellis Godfrey from Pinellas County
The highest individual scoring Seniors (ages 14 to 19) were:
First Place Jocelyn Wood from Pinellas County
Second Place Ada Perryman from Marion County
Third Place Helena Peterson from St. Johns County
The highest scoring Senior teams were:
First Place Lane Taylor, Kylie Goodson, Cora Taylor, Ada Perryman from Marion County
Second Place Annalise Watkins, Jocelyn Wood, Maleah Godfrey, Wesley Wood from Pinellas
Third Place Helena Peterson, Juliette Wells, Savannah Wells, Waylon Wells from St. Johns County
Volunteer help is critical to the success of the contest, whether it is with scoring, leading 4-H groups, or helping at one of the stations. Find out how you can help with next year’s event by contacting Elise Cassie at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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Email editor@
alachuatoday.com