Pittsboro, NC – On March 22, eight teams of middle and high school students from Chatham County successfully participated in the Piedmont Regional Envirothon at Elon University in Alamance County, which attracted more than 175 participants. Envirothon is a hands‐on environmental education program, widely known across the nation.
Two Chatham County teams won the coveted first place positions and a total of seven teams qualified for the state competition. Eight teams of students from Woods Charter, Northwood High School and Margret Pollard Middle School competed in teams of five members each.
“The Chatham County teams faired exceptionally well and we are so proud of them,” said Brenda Williams with the Chatham County Soil & Water Conservation District.”
In the High School Division, the Woods Charter School’s PhioSlothicals Team won first place. Others placing in top seven were: Northwood’s G3 Team, third place; Wood Charter’s Cecil’s Sitting by the Seashore Team, fourth place; and Woods Charter’s Turtle Turnovers Team, seventh place.
In the Middle School Division, Woods Charter’s team, Naturally Treeific, secured first place; Margaret Pollard Middle School’s Five Fire Foxes Team finished in fifth place, while the school’s Enviro-Nats Team placed sixth.
All these teams advance to the state finals, which is slated for April 29-30 at Cedarock Park in Alamance County. The winning high school team for that event advances to the national competition, with all expenses paid.
Envirothon immerses middle and high school students in a year‐long learning process that combines in‐ class curriculum with hands‐on field experiences facilitated by resource professionals such as soil scientists, foresters and wildlife specialists. This intense training culminates in a competition where teams are tested in five subject areas: Soils/Land Use, Aquatic Ecology, Forestry, Wildlife, and a current environmental issue. Scores determine winning placements.
“Envirothon students often become serious stewards of our natural resources and advocates for a healthy planet” said John Peeler, North Carolina’s Envirothon Committee Chair. “What bigger legacy can we leave?”
At the local level, the Envirothon competition is coordinated by soil and water conservation districts and sponsored by the North Carolina Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
For more information on how to participate in the Envirothon competitions, please visit http://www.ncenvirothon.org or contact the Chatham County Soil & Water Conservation office at 919-542-8240. At the state level, the contact is Sandra Weitzel with the NC Division of Soil and Water Conservation at 919‐715-6680.