CATA Curricular Activities Code

NATURAL RESOURCES
Revised 6/2011
Introduction
This contest is designed to measure the ability of the student to identify common fauna & flora
of California and to test the students ability to develop and explain the pros & cons concerning
natural resource issues. The contest will attempt to determine or demonstrate scientific and
political aspects of Natural Resources of California. The contest will attempt to determine the
students knowledge needed for future employment and/or advanced education in the field.
Contestants
Teams will consist of 3 or 4 members and the team score will be determined by the team events
added to the top three team members scores.
Classes
Individual Team
Plant ID
100
300
Animal ID
100
300
Knowledge Test
100
300
Manipulative Skills
50
150
INDIVIDUAL TOTAL
350
1050
Team Packing
150
Team Oral Presentation
100
TEAM TOTAL
1300
Tie Breaker
1. The individual scoring the highest on the knowledge test will be the individual winner.
The team scoring the highest on the oral presentation will be the team winner.
2. If a tie still exists, the total score of the team or individual will be used to determine the
high team or individual.
3. If a tie still exists for an individual or team then the manipulative skills score will
determine the high team or individual.
Sub-contest Awards
Sub-contest awards will be given for high teams and individuals in the following areas: Plant ID,
Animal ID, Knowledge Test, Manipulative Skills, and Team Packing & Team Oral Presentation
combined (team only).
Rules
I.
The State Finals Contest will take place during the Reedley College Winter FFA Field Day
and they will be the host.
II. Part I. Plant ID 100 points 50 samples at two points each.
A. The sample will be freshly cut foliage and fruit or flower, when possible. If a fresh
sample is not available, a pressed sample can be utilized. An 8 x 11 picture or a
computer-generated picture of similar size can be substituted for Wildflowers and
must depict a recognizable sample. The score sheet for Plant Identification will be a
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CATA Curricular Activities Code

III.

IV.

Natural Resources

copy of the Curricular Code list and will be matching. The students will write the
proper number on the line adjacent to the plants scientific name (common name next
to it). The Plant samples will be numbered 1-50.
B. A time limit of 45 minutes will be provided for plant identification.
Part II. Animal ID 100 points - 50 animals at two points each.
A. Recognizable pictures or mounted specimens may be used. Animals from each area
should be equally represented. The score sheet for Animal Identification will be a
copy of the Curricular Code list and will be matching. The students will write the
proper number on the line adjacent to the animals scientific name (common name
next to it).
B. A time limit of 45 minutes will be provided for animal identification.
Part III. Oral Topic Team Presentation 100 points.
A. Contestants will have 30 minutes to prepare a ten minute oral presentation from a
topic given based on rotational years. Subtopic to be determined by contest host. All
reference and graphic materials will be provided to the team at the beginning of their
preparation time. The judge will ask a question at the conclusion of the presentation.
Two minutes will be allowed for the teams response. Contest host will supply
materials specific to their scenario. Scorecard is in the appendix.
Oral Presentation Topics:
1. Forest Management
2. Wildlife Management
3. Range Management
4. Energy
5. Soil Management
6. Water

2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017

V.

Part IV. Knowledge Test 100 points.

A. A written exam consisting of 50 multiple choice questions will be developed from the
following Reference: National Audubon Society Field Guide to California,
published by Alfred Knoph and authored by Fred heath and Peter Alden. The
questions will come from pages 10 through 65.
VI. Part V. Team Packing 150 points.
A. A saddled pack animal, lash rope and mantee will be provided to the team. In even
years pack boxes will be provided and a box hitch will be used. The load items may
include tools used on the trail such as saws, fuel containers, shovels, or similar trail or
camp equipment. In odd years, canvas bags will be provided and a diamond hitch
will be used. Possible load items may be sleeping bags and other tack put in canvas
bags used on the trail or camp. The cycle will be alternate years.
B. See score card below.
VII. Part VI. Manipulative Skills (hands on) - 50 points.
Contest is to include any five of the following activities using a minimum of one from each
category at ten points each. Score this section on a continuum scale: From 1-10 points per
activity.

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CATA Curricular Activities Code

Natural Resources

1. http://energy.gov/Given a log cross section, determine the age of a tree

counting the pith as two years.
2. Given a log cross section determine the time period of a drought.
3. Given a log round cross section determine if a fire is indicated in the growth
rings.
4. Using a long round, determine the time period in which a release cut was
made.
B. Measurements/Instrumentation
1. GPS entry level skills to include but not limited to marking/finding way
points, evaluation, longitude and latitude.
2. Determine the elevation of a given indicated point, on a topographical/contour
map. Ten points possible - 2 per contour intervals off of the correct answer.
3. Take five random samples each one foot square, of native forage (from
rangeland) from a given area (from 2-10 acres) and determine the total weight
of biomass (forage) the five plots and then determine the biomass for the
indicated area.
4. Determine the location of two geographical sites, give the latitude and
longitude using GPS equipment. 5 points each.
5. Clinometer used to measure or evaluate slope.
C. Environmental Analysis
1. The student will be given five tracks at two points each to identify from page
343 and 344 of the National Audubon Society Field Guide to California.
2. Given one of the following: Given a Life Zone such as Lower Montane Zone,
Upper Montane Zone, Sub Alpine Zone, Alpine Zone, or Foothill Oak
Woodland, indicate the primary plants that occupy the Life Zone. Name up to
five.
VIII. Reference:
A. The National Audubon Society Field Guide to California, by Alden and Heath,
published by Alfred Knoph, New York
Appendices
Part I. Plant ID
Browse
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Adenostoma fasiculatum
Amsinckia menziesii
Arctostaphylus manzanita
Artemisia spp
Baccharis pilularis
Ceanothus cuneatus
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus
Cerocarpus betuloides
Cornus stolonifera
Cercis occidentalis
Cytisus scoparius

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Chamise
Fiddleneck
Common Manzanita
California Sage or Big Sagebrush
Coyote Bush
Buckbrush
Blue Blossom
Mountain Mahogany
Red Osier Dogwood
Western Redbud
Scotch Broom

CATA Curricular Activities Code

Natural Resources

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Eriogonum fasiculatum
Garrya elliptica
Heteromeles arbutifolia
Hordeum jubatum
Isomeris arborea
Juniperus californica
Marah macrocarpus
Larrea tridentate
Lonicera hispidula
Polystichum munitum
Prosopis pubescens
Quercus dumosa
Rhamnus californica
Rhus ovata
Ribes aureum
Ribes speciosum
Rubus ursinus
Salix hindsiana
Vaccinium ovatum
Vitis californica

California Buckwheat
Silktassel
Toyon
Foxtail Barley
Bladder Pod
California Juniper
Wild Cucumber
Creosote Bush
California Honeysuckle
Western Sword Fern
Screwbean Mesquite
Scrub Oak
Coffeeberry
Sugar Bush
Golden Current
Fuchsia Flowered Gooseberry
Trailing Blackberry
Sandbar Willow
Evergreen Huckleberry
California Wild Grape

Trees
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Abies concolor
Acer negundo
Alnus rubra
Arbutus menziesii
Calocedrus decurrens
Cornus nuttallii
Fraxinus latifolia
Juglans californica
Juniperus occidentalis
Pinus contorta
Pinus lambertiana
Pinus ponderosa
Pinus sabiniana
Platanus racemosa
Populus fremontii
Populus tremuloides
Pseudotsuga menziesii
Quercus chrysolepis
Quercus douglasii
Quercus kelloggi

White Fir
California Box Elder
Red Alder
Pacific madrone
Incense Cedar
Pacific Dogwood
Oregon Ash
California Black Walnut
Western Juniper
Lodgepole Pine
Sugar Pine
Ponderosa or Yellow Pine
Foothill or Gray Pine
California Sycamore
Fremont Cottonwood
Quaking Aspen
Douglas Fir
Canyon Live Oak
Blue Oak
California Black Oak

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Natural Resources

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Quercus lobata
Salix lucida
Sambucus mexicana
Sequoia sempervirens
Sequoiadendron giganteum
Umbellularia californica
Yucca brevifolia
Yucca schidigera

Valley Oak
Pacific Willow
Blue Elderberry
Coastal Redwood
Giant Sequoia
California Bay Laural
Joshua Tree
Mojave Yucca

Wild
Flowers
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Aguilegia formosa
Castilleja spp.
Delphinium nuttallianum
Datura stramonium
Epilobium canum
Erodium cirutarium
Erysimum capitatum
Eschscholzia californica
Fragaria vesca
Heracleum lanatum
Lasthenia californica
Lilium paradalinum
Iris missouriensis
Lupinus spp.
Mimulus aurantiacus
Mentha arvensis
Nemophila menziesii
Pennisetum setaceum
Potentilla pacifica
Rhomneya coulteri
Rosa californica
Salvia dorrii
Sarcodes sanguinea
Taraxacum officinale
Typha latifolia
Urtica dioica
Viola adunca
Verbascum thapsus
Xerophyllum tenax
Zigadenus venenosus

Red Columbine
Paintbrush
Nuttalls Larkspur
Jimson Weed
California Fuchsia
Red-Stem Fillaree
Western Wallflower
California Poppy
Woodland Strawberry
Cow Parsnip
California Goldenfields
Leopard Lily
Western Blue Flag Iris
Lupine
Bush Monkey Flower
Field Mint
Baby Blue Eyes
Fountain Grass
Pacific Silverweed
Matilija Poppy
California Wild Rose
Grayball Sage
Snow Plant
Dandelion
Broadleafed Cattail
Stinging Nettle
Western Blue Violet
Wooly Mullein
Bear Grass
Death Camas

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Natural Resources

Part II. Animal ID

A balanced selection of items from each area is recommended.
Mammals - Tracks, Pictures or Mounts
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Antilocarpa americana
Pronghorn Antelope
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Balaenoptera musculus
Blue Whale
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Canis latrans
Coyote
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Cervus elaphus
Tule Elk
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Didelphis virgiviana
Virginia Opossum
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Enhydra lutris
Sea Otter
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Erethizon dorsatum
Porcupine
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Felis concolor
Mountain Lion
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Lepus californicus
Black Tailed Rabbit
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Lynx rufus
Bobcat
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Lutra canadensis
Northern River Otter
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Marmonta flaviventris
Yellow-Bellied Marmot
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Martes americana
American Marten
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Megaptera novaeangliae
Humpback Whale
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Mephitis mephitis
Striped Skunk
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Odocoileus hemoinus
Black-tailed Deer
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Orcinus orca
Killer Whale (Orca)
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Ovis canadensis
Bighorn Sheep
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Procyon lotor
Raccoon
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Sciurus griseus
Western Gray Squirrel
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Spermophilus beecheyi
California Ground Squirrel
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Sylvilagus audubonii
Cottontail
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Tamias amoenus
Yellow-Pine Chipmunk
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Taxidea taxus
American Badger
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Tursiops truncatus
Bottled-Nosed Dolphin
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Urocyon cinereoargenteus
Gray Fox
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Urus americanus
Black Bear
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Vulpes velox
Kit Fox
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Zalophus californianus
California Sea Lion
Birds
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Aix sponsa
Anas crecca
Anas cyanoptera
Anas platyrhynchos
Aquila chrysaetos
Ardea herodias
Branta canadensis
Bubo virginianus

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American Wood Duck

Green-winged Teal
Cinnamon Teal
Mallard
Golden Eagle
Great Blue Heron
Canada Goose
Great Horned Owl

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Natural Resources

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Bucephala albeola
Buteo jamaicensis
Buteojam aicensis
Cathartes aura
Ceryle alcyon
Charadrius vociferous
Colaptes auratus
Egretta thula
Falco peregrinus
Falco sparverius
Geococcyx californianus
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Melanerpes formicivorus
Meleagris gallopaua
Oreortyx pictus
Sturnella neglecta
Tyto alba
Zenaida macroura

Bufflehead
Red Tailed Hawk
Valley Quail
Turkey Vulture
Belted King Fisher
Killdeer
Flicker
Snowy Egret
Peregrine Falcon
American Kestrel
Greater Roadrunner
Bald Eagle
Acorn Woodpecker
California Wild Turkey
Mountain Quail
Meadow Lark
Barn Owl
Mourning Dove

Fish
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Acipenser transmontanus
Ameiurus nebulosus
Catostomus occidentalis
Cyprinus carpio
Dasyatis dipterura
Gymnothorax mordax
Hypsypops rubicundus
Ictalurus punctatus
Lepomis macrochirus
Micropterus dolomieu
Micropterus salmoides
Mola mola
Morone saxatilis
Ophiodon elongatus
Oncorhynchus kisutch
Oncorhynchus tshawtyscha
Oncorhynchus aquabonita
Oncorhynchus (Salmo) mykiss
Paralichthys californicus
Pomoxis annularis
Salvelinus fontinalis
Salmo trutta

White Sturgeon
Brown Bullhead/Speckled Catfish
Sacramento Sucker
Common Carp
Diamond Stingray
California Moray
Garibaldi
Channel Catfish
Bluegill
Smallmouth Bass
Largemouth Bass
Ocean Sunfish
Striped Bass
Lingcod
Coho/Silver Salmon
Chinook/King Salmon
Golden Trout
Rainbow Trout
California Halibut
White Crappie
Brook Trout
Brown Trout

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Sarda chiliensis
Thunnus thynnus
Thunnus alalunga
Xiphias gladius

Amphibians
and Reptiles
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Bufo boreas
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Charina bottae
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Coleonyx variegatus
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Crotalus cerastes
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Crotalus viridis
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Dicamptodon ensatus
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Diadophis punctatus
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Elgaria multicarinata
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Ensatina eschscholtzii
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Eumeces skiltonianus
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Gopherus agassizii
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Hyla regilla
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Lampropeltis getulus
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Lampropeltis zonota
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Lichanura trivirgata
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Pituophis melanoleucus
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Phrynosoma coronatum
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Rana catesbeiana
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Sauromalus obesus
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Sceloporus occidentalis
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Taricha torusa
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Thamnophis elegans
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Thamnophis sirtalis

Natural Resources

Pacific Bonito
Bluefin Tuna
Albacore
Swordfish

Western Toad
Rubber boa
Western Banded Gecko
Sidewinder Rattlesnake
Western Rattlesnake
Giant Pacific Salamander
Ringneck Snake
Alligator Lizard
Ensatina Salamander
Western Skink
Desert Tortoise
Pacific Tree Frog
Common Kingsnake
California Mountain Kingsnake
Rosy Boa
Gopher Snake
Coast Horned Lizard
Bull Frog
Chuckwalla
Western Fence Lizard
California Newt
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake
Common Garter Snake
Total Correct ______________

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CATA Curricular Activities Code

Natural Resources

Oral Presentation Scorecard

Skill

Points

Technical Knowledge of the Subject

20

Organization (into, body, conclusion)

20

Speech (delivery and force)

20

Solutions and Critical Thinking

20

Balance Between Team Members

20

Possible Total

100

Animal Packing Score Card

Skill

Points

Safety and Confidence with Animals

35

Quality and Balance of Load

35

Proper and Secure Mantee and Hitch

40

Team Work

25

Time

15

Total (if within 8 minutes)

150

Note: Full credit will be awarded up to 8 minutes. Deduct 5 points per minute after 8
minutes. Stop the team after 12 minutes have elapsed. The most that can be deducted
for going past 12 minutes is 15 points.

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