Forestry Contest
Forestry Contest Information
All youth ages 9-18 are welcome to participate! Potential exhibitors can expect to test their knowledge of tree identification, topographic map reading, and general questions about the field of forestry.
The contest provides opportunities for you to:
- Increase your knowledge of forestry and knowledge related to forest management
- Expand your ability to identify various forest trees
- Better understand basic cartography
Certificates and pins will be mailed to UCCE 4-H county offices.
*Pending that a full and qualified group of members competes
Evaluation
- General Forestry - 10 questions (10 points)
- Questions asked will come from the National 4-H Forestry Quiz Bowl and Exam Study Guide found at https://4hforestryinvitational.org/quiz-bowl-and-exam-study-guide/
- Tree Identification (10 points)
- Participants will ID 10 different trees at random pulled from the new California 4-H Forestry Contest Tree Identification List. 2026 Tree Identification List | 2026 Tree Study Guide (Google Slides) | iNaturalist Tree Study Guide
- Identification will include a mix of photographs and a collection of pine cones.
- Topographic Maps (10 points)
- Participants will have to read USGS topographic maps at a scale of 1:24,000 and identify 8 map symbols and geographic features.
- Participants will need to determine the elevation difference from one feature to another (this requires them to understand contour lines)
- Lastly, they will need to measure the distance from one location to another using a map scale and ruler
- Study resources are on the national website
- Forest Health - Insects and Diseases (10 points)
- Youth will need to identify 5 different insects and 5 different diseases. All pulled from the national list.
- Identification will include either the physical insect or evidence of the insects.
Contest Contacts
Questions? Please contact 4hsfd@ucanr.edu.
Competition Coordinator: John Trammel at jwtrammell87@gmail.com
