It’s extracurricular.  It’s outside.  And it’s fun!  It’s the Westmoreland County Envirothon – a yearly academic competition that pits teams of high school students to see which has the most knowledge of the natural world.

This year, 95 students from nine Westmoreland County high schools are scheduled to participate in the Envirothon on Monday, April 30 at Twin Lakes Park in Greensburg.

During the hands-on competition, students may be asked to identify an amphibian, measure a tree, or examine animal skulls to identify the species.

They will be asked to answer challenging questions related to forestry, soil, land use, aquatic ecology, and wildlife, and to address an environmental issue, which this year focuses on the benefits of grassland and pastureland management.

“This is a tough competition, and students have a significant amount of information to study in addition to their regular coursework.  All of these students should be commended for their hard work,” said Jen Novak, the Westmoreland Conservation District’s education program coordinator.

The 95 students scheduled to participate in this year’s Westmoreland County competition represent Burrell High School, Derry Area High School, Franklin Regional Senior High School, Greater Latrobe Senior High School, Kiski Area High School, Mount Pleasant Area Junior-Senior High School, Norwin High School, Southmoreland High School, and Yough Senior High School.

The team that wins the Westmorland County Envirothon will go on to compete in the state competition, to be held in May at Susquehanna University and Camp Mount Luther in Snyder and Union counties, respectively.  

The Westmoreland Conservation District has hosted the local Envirothon every year since 1986.

A number of cooperating organizations and agencies also assist the Westmoreland Conservation District in hosting the event, including: the Game Commission, Fish and Boat Commission, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Forestry, Department of Environmental Protection, Westmoreland County Bureau of Parks and Recreation, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Westmoreland County Beekeepers Association.

This year’s Westmoreland County Envirothon received funding support from the Pennsylvania Envirothon, Inc.; Apex Energy, LLC; and Smithfield.

For more information on programs, initiatives and other upcoming events, visit the Westmoreland County Conservation District website.

To learn more about Envirothon competitions, visit the PA Envirothon website.

(Photo: 2017 First Place Winners - Southmoreland High School Team 1.  Click Here to see all the 2017 winners.)

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[Posted: April 16, 2018]

4/23/2018