Wildlife Resources and Objectives
On this page, you will find helpful materials for preparing for the wildlife portion of the Indiana Envirothon Competition.
2026 Wildlife Resources
DNR Fish & Wildlife
- https://www.in.gov/dnr/fish-and-wildlife/
- Be familiar with About Us; 2025-2026 Hunting and Trapping Guide; 2025-2026 Fishing Guide; Nongame & Endangered Wildlife; Nuisance Wildlife; Wildlife Resources; Wildlife Diseases; Animals; and Invasive Species
- DNR: https://www.in.gov/dnr/fish-and-wildlife/wildlife-resources/animals/
- Purdue Extension: https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/FNR/FNR-413-W.pdf
- Kaufman, Kenn, et al. Kaufman Field Guide to Nature of the Midwest. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2015.
- https://www.in.gov/dnr/rules-and-regulations/invasive-species/
- Be familiar with invasive species currently found in Indiana
- https://stopaquatichitchhikers.org/
- Know the basic protocols for finding and preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species
- https://www.fws.gov/endangered/laws-policies/\
- https://www.fws.gov/sites/default/files/documents/endangered-species-act-basics.pdf
- https://www.fws.gov/endangered/laws-policies/esa-history.html
- Be familiar with the history of the ESA and how it has changed over time (principal amendments in 1978, 1982, 1988, and 2004)
- https://www.fws.gov/birds/policies-and-regulations/laws-legislations/migratory-bird-treaty-act.php
- Understand the basics of the Migratory Bird Act
- https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/FNR/FNR-485-W.pdf
- https://www.purdue.edu/fnr/extension/be-on-the-watch-for-ehd-in-deer
- Wildlife Ecology PDF:
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Wildlife Objectives
- Understand the role of federal and state agencies, and the programs and laws that govern Indiana wildlife and the protection, conservation, management, and enhancement of Indiana’s wildlife and their habitat through improvement practices.
- Identify Indiana wildlife species (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, crustaceans, mussels, insects, spiders, etc.) by physical characteristics, tracks, movement patterns, habitat suitability, and other unique characteristic signs.
- Identity and differentiate between extinct, extirpated, endangered, threatened, and species of special concern. Understand the importance of biodiversity and the implications of its loss. Describe factors affecting Indiana species and the methods being used to improve existing populations.
- Describe the current struggles of native Indiana wildlife species impacted by biological and physical agents as well as the introduction of invasive nonnative species and cite examples of current and potential concerns to native populations.
- Identify basic wildlife survival needs of Indiana wildlife, the niche they serve, and habitats where they may be found. Describe specific adaptations of Indiana wildlife species to its environment and its role in the ecosystem.
- Describe situations that limit or enhance population growth and discuss the concept of carrying capacity and limiting factors. Be familiar with examples that have or may occur in Indiana.
- Be able to name habitat requirements for wildlife and the factors that affect suitability. Recognize the importance of wildlife adapting to its environment and be able to explain advantages of anatomical, physiological, and/or behavioral adaptations of wildlife to their environment.
- Understand wildlife and wildlife related terminology such as: habitat, ecosystem, biodiversity, herbivore, endangered, food web, niche, invasive, etc.
- Be familiar with current events that may be impacting Indiana wildlife, whether year-round residents or migratory species. (Due to how current the event there might not be a cited reference for this objective.)
Connected Indiana Academic Standards:
| Connected Indiana Academic Standards - Wildlife |
Visit each of the following topics to access the Reference Material & Learning Objectives:
Soil & Land Use |
Aquatic Ecology |
Forestry |
Current Issue2026 Current Issue:
Non-Point Source Pollution: It Begins at Home! |