Arlington FFA hosts inaugural wildlife contest at River Legacy Nature Center

This article was originally published here.

One thing about Arlington ISD FFA Wildlife Team and FFA advisor Tanner Smith – they’re going to go above and beyond. 

That’s why the team hosted its first-ever wildlife contest in partnership with River Legacy Nature Center this past March 2025. In previous years, students had to travel outside the Metroplex to compete, but last year, they decided to organize a contest of their own.  

The event was a major success, drawing 12 teams from across the state and 51 students in total.

“I am so proud of the turnout of the contest,” Smith said. “My team was incredible, they were group leaders and helped set up every bit of the contest and take it all down to make sure River Legacy was left in the same shape as we got it.” 

The contest featured eight challenging sections: plant identification, biological facts, habitat evaluation, fish and game laws, safety and techniques. In the biological facts section, students took a multiple-choice test covering native Texas wildlife species, including white-tailed and mule deer, bobwhite and scaled quail, wild turkey, pronghorn antelope, fox and gray squirrel, mourning and white-winged doves and waterfowl. The fish and game laws portion required competitors to study the Texas Outdoor Annual and complete a multiple-choice test on the state’s hunting and fishing regulations. 

“I usually study the things I am not as good at, and I will study at lunches and practices with the team and Mr. Smith,” said junior Spencer Doughty. “Occasionally I look at the stuff I am good at.” 

For the Safety section, students demonstrated knowledge of hunter and boater education through a written test. The habitat evaluation portion required participants to analyze a scenario, study a map and physically assess a plot of land to determine if it provided the necessary food, water and shelter for wildlife. The techniques portion involved identifying 20 different objects related to wildlife management, such as skulls, traps, tracks, water samples, scat and GPS tracking devices. Finally, in the plant identification section, students identified up to 15 flagged plants from a pool of 125 native Texas species and determined which wildlife consumed each plant. 

The team competed the day before the official contest and then worked the event on Friday. Had their scores been included in the official rankings, they would have placed second overall as a team, with individual rankings of second, fourth and fifth. 

The awards were cut from two trees that fell at River Legacy. The team designed the artwork, and ag mechanics teacher Jeff Hranicky cut the logs into tree cookies. Then AHS engineering and construction teacher Blair Hansard was able to burn the art into the awards.

“I’m pretty proud,” said sophomore Luke Curtis. “It was fun to host the contest, and it was interesting to see the backside of how it all works.” 

And this is just the beginning. The team plans to continue hosting the contest each year.  

“I got some feedback from my friends who brought their teams to compete, and they said it was a great contest, but next year I can make it a little tougher, which my students are excited about,” Smith said. 

But they’re also proud of where they started.  

“I am very proud of our team for hosting its first contest, and I am very proud to be a part of creating a new tradition in FFA of hosting a contest each year,” Jones said.  

With visits from Arlington High principal Stacie Humbles, deputy superintendent Dr. Jennifer Collins, school board trustee Leanne Haynes and more, the team was surrounded by support from the Arlington ISD community.  

“That is one of the most fulfilling things from this event,” Smith said. “For them to show their support was incredible. Agriculture education and FFA are always doing things like this, but it does not always get showcased, so my passion is to make sure our students get the recognition they deserve!” 

Learn more about the Arlington FFA here.