The five-member team from Greene County’s Carmichaels Area High School traveled to Idaho State University located in Pocatello to compete in the 2018 NCF-Envirothon. The Pennsylvania team was one of 50 competing at this years international event and placed respectably in 18th place.

The 35th Pennsylvania Envirothon state competition was held at the Susquehanna University and Camp Mount Luther on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 22 and 23, 2018. High school students from 65 Pennsylvania counties participated in this year’s event.

At the Envirothon, five-member teams participate in a series of field station tests that focus on five topic areas – soils and land use, aquatic ecology, forestry, wildlife, and environmental issues. The 2018 current environmental issues focused on The Benefits of Grassland and Pastureland Management. The teams also prepare and deliver oral presentations to panels of judges who evaluate each team on its problem-solving capabilities, oral presentation skills and recommendations to help solve the specific environmental challenge, which relates to the current environmental issue.

Teams participating represent the best and the brightest of the thousands of high school teens who have competed in county Envirothon competitions sponsored by conservation districts from across the state and the Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. At the state level, the Envirothon is sponsored by Pennsylvania’s sixty-six county conservation districts, the State Conservation Commission, and the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts. The program is managed by a board of directors representing those sponsors. Technical expertise is provided by the following partners: PA Department of Agriculture, PA Department of Environmental Protection, PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, PA Game Commission, PA Fish and Boat Commission, and U.S.D.A. Natural Resources Conservation Service. Sponsors and partners of the 2018 Envirothon are PA Department of Environmental Protection, Pennsylvania Department of Education, Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance (KEEA), Shell Oil Company, PPL, The Hershey Company, EQT Foundation, Weis, Chief Oil & Gas LLC, UGI Utilities, Smithfield, and National Conservation Foundation Envirothon.

The 2018 Pennsylvania Envirothon champions will represent the Commonwealth at the 30th NCF-Envirothon competition planned for July 22 – 28 at Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho. More than 47 states, eight Canadian provinces, one Canadian territory, and two Chinese provinces have initiated Envirothon contests based on the program that was originally developed by Pennsylvania’s conservation districts.

The 2018 Pennsylvania Envirothon champions, scoring 546 points of a possible 600, are from Carmichaels Area High School located in Greene County. The Greene County team earned the honor to represent Pennsylvania at the NCF-Envirothon international competition.

Top 10 winners, with scores area as follows.

First Place – Carmichaels Area High School, Greene County, with a score of 546
Second Place – Palmyra High School, Lebanon County, with a score of 523.67
Third Place – Penncrest High School, Delaware County, with a score of 512.67
Fourth Place – Bangor Area High School, Northampton County, with a score of 506
Fifth Place – MMI Preparatory School, Luzerne County, with a score of500.33
Sixth Place – York Home School Association, York County, with a score of 489.67
Seventh Place – Bradford Area High School, McKean County, with a score of 482
Eighth Place – Blue Mountain High School, Schuylkill County, with a score of479.67
Ninth Place – Conneaut Area High School, Crawford County, with a score of 473
Tenth Place – West Perry High School, Perry County, with a score of462

The Pennsylvania Envirothon awarded scholarships to the first through fifth place teams. The scholarships were sponsored by Pennsylvania’s County Conservation Districts and Shell Oil. Each of the top ten teams received a plaque and other prizes.

The high station winners, with scores, include:

Soils/Land Use – Palmyra High School, Lebanon County, with a score of 96;
Aquatic Ecology – Penncrest High School, Delaware County, with a score of 93;
Forestry – Carmichaels Area High School, Greene County, with a score of 97;
Wildlife – Carmichaels Area High School, Greene County, with a score of 85;
Current Issue – Conneaut Area High School, Crawford County, with a score of 90;
Oral Presentation Component – Carmichaels Area High School, Greene County, with a score of 100.

For more information on the Envirothon program, contact your county conservation district or contact the Pennsylvania Envirothon by phone (814) 310-3271, Email Lorelle Steach, or visit the website.

We are reaching out to all of our Pennsylvania Envirothon Alumni! We would love to know where you are now and how the Pennsylvania Envirothon positively affected your life and career path!

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