2003 Regional Envirothon Teams Look to Continue Success

The winning team in Tompkins County, from Lansing High School: Megan Reinhart, Josh Reinhart, Melissa McClure, John Hatfield and Max Kraft. (left to right)

The Envirothon is an outdoor, hands-on environmental science/natural resource competition for teams of 3-5 high school students. The Envirothon tests students’ knowledge in the topics of aquatics, forestry, soils, wildlife, and the 2003 current issue topic — Agricultural Land Conservation and Preservation. The winning team from each county then goes on to participate in the NYS Envirothon in May. The New York State winner will have the honor of representing New York State in the national competition, the Canon Envirothon®, to be held in Maryland next year. Preparation begins during the fall semester for competition in each of three Cayuga Watershed regions.

Western Finger Lakes Region

Seneca County Schools have participated in the Western Finger Lakes Regional Envirothon, held at Finger Lakes Community College in Canandaigua, since 1993. All 4 Seneca County school districts, Waterloo, Seneca Falls, South Seneca and Romulus have participated in this competition, which also includes schools from Ontario and Yates Counties. A team from Seneca County has participated in the New York State Competition each year since 1993 with South Seneca placing as high as 4th overall. For more information, contact Jim Malyj at the Seneca County SWCD, (315) 568-4366.

Southern Tier Region

The Tompkins County Soil and Water Conservation District sponsors the Envirothon competition for teams in Tompkins County, and they’re looking to enlist more high schools. Students from Broome, Chemung, Schuyler, Tioga and Tompkins counties first compete at the local level, the Southern Tier Regional Envirothon. If you are interested in participating in this event, call Sherry Forgash at the District office at 257-2340. She will meet with you and explain more about the Envirothon competition.

Central New York Region

In 2001, the Weedsport High School Envirothon team won the New York State competition and placed 6th out of 49 teams in the National Envirothon, held in Massachusetts. For information on teams and events in Cayuga County, contact Sandy Huey, at the Cayuga County District Office, (315) 252-4171, Ext. 3.

The Envirothon is the fastest growing high school science competition in North America. And remember — there is absolutely no cost to the students or school to become part of an Envirothon team. The Envirothon is funded through the generous donations of local businesses, companies and private citizens. Hope to have you on board this September!