Wildlife Study Guide
Along with aquatics, forestry and soils, wildlife is another of our valuable natural resources. Wildlife are highly dependent upon the status of aquatic, orestry and soil ecology. Today, the greatest threat to wildlife is habitat loss. The impact of human land use practices on wildlife populations and their habitats is a major concern nation-wide. At the regional Envirothon the wildlife station will emphasize animal wildlife in New York State. Students will be expected to have a basic understanding of regional species populations and their habitats, how they function and change over time and their role in the ecosystem. They should be able to identify common wildlife species and their corresponding characteristics and habitats. In addition, the wildlife learner should develop an awareness and knowledge of the following: specific adaptations of wildlife to their environment; wildlife survival needs; predator/prey relationships; food chains and food webs; factors that limit or enhance population growth; concepts of carrying capacity and limiting factors; non-native species; threatened and endangered species; and the roles of both the public and wildlife managers in the protection, conservation, management, and enhancement of wildlife populations.
“Without knowing it, we utilize hundreds of products each day that owe their origin to wild animals and plants. Indeed our welfare is intimately tied up with the welfare of wildlife. Well may conservationists proclaim that by saving the lives of wild species, we may be saving our own.”
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Wildlife Learning Objectives
For successful completion of the Wildlife section, students should be able to:
- Identify mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and insects using mounted specimens, skins/pelts, pictures, skulls, silhouettes, decoys, wings, feathers, scats, tracks, animal sounds, or other common signs
- Identify general food habits from teeth and/or skull morphology
- Know the preferred habitat types and specific habitat requirements of the most common wildlife species and the factors that affect wildlife suitability
- Know and understand basic ecological concepts and terminology including the difference between an ecosystem, community and population
- Understand wildlife population dynamics and limiting and decimating factors of wildlife management
- Be able to identify, describe and explain wildlife adaptations to their environment
- Understand the different levels of biodiversity and the implications of loss at each level
- Identify common wildlife management practices and methods that are being used to manage and improve wildlife habitat
- Understand the role of federal and state Fish and Wildlife Agencies in the management, conservation, protection, and enhancement of fish and wildlife and their habitats.
- Be familiar with finding information found within the NYS hunting safety guide and hunter education program
- Understand the environmental impact of invasive species, threat to biodiversity, and impact on native wildlife
- Understand common land use decisions that affect wildlife population growth, environmental degradation, and habitat reduction
- Be familiar with common wildlife diseases from microbes, parasites, toxins, and other biological and physical agents
- Understand the terminology and factors that affect threatened and endangered wildlife species. Know examples of NYS species that are extinct, extirpated, endangered, threatened, and special concern
- Understand the role of the Endangered Species Act in helping to conserve endangered and threatened species. Know the organizations and agencies responsible for listing and protecting endangered species on global, federal, and state levels
We have attempted to find the most recent information from credible, university or governmental based institutions related to the listed learning objective but please note that the following resources are not all inclusive or exclusive and there are many other sources of information that you may wish to consult in yur study of “Wildlife”.
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Wildlife References
2025-26 Hunting Guide Big Game
2025-26 Hunting Guide Small Game
Agricultural Practices that Conserve Grassland Birds
How to Nest Watch Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Management Plan for Deer in New York
NY Hunting Guide 2024-25 Migratory Game Birds
NYS Butterfly and Moth Sampler
NYS Grassland Bird Habitat Management
NYS Prohibited and Regulated Invasive Animals
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New York State Envirothon 