The 32nd annual Pike/Wayne Envirothon will be held April 26 at the Wallenpaupack Environmental Learning Center in Hawley, Wayne County.

This one-day educational competition for high school students is designed to test their knowledge, skills and problem solving capabilities regarding our earth’s natural resources.

This year, students from Canaan Christian Academy, Delaware Valley, Honesdale, Wallenpaupack, and Western Wayne high schools will compete in the Pike/Wayne Envirothon as hundreds of their peers from across the state take part in county Envirothon competitions in their areas, leading up to the 2018 Pennsylvania State Envirothon.

Students prepare by using field guides to identify bird songs and tree species; by rubbing dampened soil between their fingers to determine its texture and consulting a soil survey for potential land uses; and by identifying organisms that live underwater in our streams and rivers to assess the health of local waterways.

Five-member teams compete by applying their knowledge and problem-solving skills in subject areas that include: Aquatic Ecology, Forestry, Soils/Land Use, Wildlife, and Current Issue which is “Benefits of Grassland and Pastureland Management.”

The Pike and Wayne county winning teams advance to the Pennsylvania Envirothon to be held at Susquehanna University and Camp Mount Luther on May 22 and 23\.

Each year County Conservation Districts and State Envirothon Coordinators partner with the U.S.D.A. Natural Resources Conservation Service, Fish and Boat Commission, Game Commission, Department of Conservation and Natural Resource Bureaus of Forestry and State Parks, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Education to bring this event to each county and then the state event.

These committed partners provide educational reference materials for high school teams as well as technical expertise, knowledge, and manpower at the event.

The Pike/Wayne Envirothon would not be possible without the financial contributions of local businesses. Donations support this successful youth conservation program and assist with the purchase of Envirothon t-shirts, educational prizes and awards for the event.

This year’s sponsors include Brookfield, Camp Umpy’s Bagels & Stuff and Wash & Fold, Creamworks, Dirlum Bros. Lumber Company, Dutch's Market, The Dime Bank, Dyberry Sand & Gravel Co., Fox Hill Farms, The Hideout Property Owner’s Association, Honesdale Farm & Garden, Northern Tier Hardwood Association, Pennsylvania Trappers Association District 9, REMAX/Wayne, Wallenpaupack Veterinary Clinic, and Woodloch Pines Resort.

Additional funding for this year’s Pike/Wayne Envirothon was provided by the Pennsylvania Envirothon Inc. through its education grant with the Department of Environmental Protection Environmental Education Fund.

The Pike/Wayne Envirothon is coordinated by the Pike and Wayne County Conservation Districts. To find out more about the Envirothon please contact the Pike County Conservation District office at 570-226-8220 or the Wayne Conservation District at 570-253-0930.

Envirothon

The Envirothon competition originated in Pennsylvania with county conservation districts.  Pennsylvania high school teams won the now international Envirothon competition in 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1994, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2009 and 2017. 

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[Posted: March 29, 2018]

4/2/2018