Conservation District hosts Junior Envirothon
BENEZETTE – On Thursday, April 18, the Elk County Conservation District (ECCD) hosted the 2024 Junior Envirothon at the Elk Country Visitor Center.
What exactly is Envirothon? Envirothon is an academic competition that focuses on natural resource problem-solving and centers on an environmental education theme. It also provides students with an opportunity to study more in-depth topics of environmental interest.
Junior Envirothon (6th-8th grades) allows students to prepare for the more advanced level of Senior Envirothon (9th-12th grades), which is a nationally recognized competition. At the Senior level, exams are administered by state agencies, including the PA Fish and Boat Commission,
PA Game Commission, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Students are tested on five categories- wildlife, forestry, soils, aquatics and a current issue topic that is changed yearly. This year’s current issue topic is renewable energy.
The winning Senior Envirothon team from each county also has the opportunity to move on and compete at the state level.
At this year’s Junior Envirothon, seven teams competed against one another in four categories; the categories included forestry, aquatics, soils, and wildlife. Students from St. Marys Area Middle School (SMAMS) and St. Marys Catholic Middle School (SMCMS) were allotted 35 minutes to collaborate with their team members during each exam.
The tests were created by the staff from ECCD and were based off similar material that they will see at the advanced level. This year, “Big Elks” from SMCMS came in first place with a total score of 325. Team members included Sophia Shirey, Lilly Brennen, Brynlee Schutz, Emma Buhler, and Gabbie Steele. Congratulations to our winners, and thank you to all who participated and for making it a great day.
On May 1, ECCD will be hosting Senior Envirothon for teams competing from St. Marys Area High School, Elk County Catholic High School, and Ridgway Area High School at the Elk Country Visitor Center.
Best of luck to this year’s competitors and stay tuned for the results.