The Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District (HCSWCD) and Ivy Tech aligned to host the state Envirothon competition held on April 24. Envirothon is a high school-aged student competition that helps students learn about natural resources and the issues facing current and future generations.
Teams are comprised of five students in grades 9 through 12 and one adult coach. During the competition, each team answers questions about environmental resources consisting of aquatics, soils, forestry, wildlife and a current environmental issue. Teams may consist of members from a variety of organizations, including clubs at high schools (environment, agriculture, science and academic clubs), the Scouts, home-schooled students and 4-H Clubs.
This year, Rossville FFA took the win and will represent Indiana at the North American Envirothon competition to be held on July 28 in Raleigh, N.C., on the campus of North Carolina State University.
The Envirothon Competition is completely volunteer based and depends on support of local businesses, donations and volunteers to make it successful. HCSWCD and the Indiana Envirothon Board would like to thank everyone who worked together to achieve the day’s success. Experts from the United States Forest Service (USFS), the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the IN Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD), the Cope Environmental Center, the Environmental Education Association of IN (EEAI) and IN Agriculture Nutrient Alliance all acted as judges for the oral presentations.
“With Ivy Tech’s generous use of their facility, Earth Fare’s [Noblesville Organic Grocery Store] catered lunch for the students and volunteers, EEAI’s T-shirt sponsorship, IN Association of Soil and Water Conservation District’s (IASWCD) backing, and Smithfield’s substantial monetary donation, we were able to support the event logistics and create a premier Envirothon competition for the entire state, right here in Hamilton County,” said Ginger Davis, District Administrator of HCSWCD.
For more information about the Envirothon, call (317) 773-2181 or email soil.water@hamiltoncounty.in.gov.