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2009 Watershed Challenge Winners Announced By Penn Ohio Watershed Association
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The Penn Ohio Watershed Association hosted the 4th Annual Pymatuning/Shenango Watershed Challenge at Munnell Run Farm in Mercer County, Pa on October 21.
First Place in this year’s challenge went to the Jamestown Middle School Muskies from Jamestown, Pa. Members of the Jamestown team include Lorrin Mathias, Melissa Allen, Benjamin Lorigan, Trey Saulsbery and Jessie Arnold(photo). The Muskies advisor is Julie Harris. Second Place at the Watershed Challenge went to Laurel - Team Green, Savanna Hovis, Nolan Firmi, Marlon Tanner, Jesse Litzenberger and Eric Leasure. Team Green is coached by Candee Hovis. Third Place went to The T.E.A.C.H. (Trumbull Education Association of Christian Homeschoolers) Eagles, Nathaneal Toth, James Gilcher, Megan Dickenson and Rachel McFall. The T.E.A.C.H. Eagles are led by Patty McFall and Tracy Dickenson. Thirteen middle school teams from Trumbull County, Ohio and Crawford, Mercer and Lawrence Counties, Pa attended the outdoor environmental competition. The teams were tested in five resource categories including Aquatics, Forestry, Soils, Watersheds and Wildlife. Each category was presented by different natural resource professionals including biologists, soil scientists, wildlife officers, foresters and naturalists from DCNR Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, the Game Commission, Wallace and Pancher, Inc. and Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. Other participating teams came from Conneaut Lake Middle School, Lincoln Junior High (Ellwood City), Saegertown Junior High, Greenville High School, Laurel Junior-Senior High School, and T.E.A.C.H. Team members had the opportunity to interact with the local natural resource professionals as they competed to correctly answer questions of general knowledge and site specific questions. Aquatics featured questions related to water quality and its impact on our fish and macroinvertebrate populations as well as fish anatomy and macroinvertebrate identification. Neshannock Chapter Trout Unlimited also provided a tour of the trout nursery for the teams. Forestry had students identifying select tree species and determining the age of a tree. The soils portion of the competition included identifying soil quality indicators. A Groundwater Flow Model (table-top water model detailing how groundwater moves) was part of the watersheds session. Mounts and pelts could be seen at the wildlife station. A luncheon and awards ceremony followed the competition. Sponsors and volunteers for this event include Trumbull SWCD, Mercer County Conservation District, Crawford County Conservation District, Lawrence County Conservation District, DCNR Pymatuning State Park, Department of Environmental Protection, Giant Eagle of Hermitage, Munnell Run Farm Foundation, Neshannock Chapter Trout Unlimited, Shenango River Watchers, Inc., Wallace & Pancher, Inc., James Marsh of Marsh Farms and Linda Rodgers, LAV’s Cleaning Service. Any middle school teachers who are interested in participating in future Watershed Challenges may contact Amy Reeher, Watershed Coordinator; at 330-637-2056, ext. 111 or by sending email to: reehera@embarqmail.com for more information. |
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10/26/2009 |
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