Local high school students take top honors at the 20th annual Massachusetts Envirothon

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Massachusetts Envirothon 2007 participants.

Students test their knowledge of soils at the Little Dig ecostation.

NRCS soil scientist Al Averill welcomes teams to the Little Dig ecostation.

Students demonstrate their knowledge of wildlife at the Wildlife Edge ecostation.

The Chelmsford High School team gives a presentation on the current issue.

GARDNER, Mass. (May 10, 2007) – The results are in from the 20th annual Massachusetts Envirothon held at Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner. Nearly 350 Bay State high school students from 50 public and private schools across the commonwealth, along with nearly 200 coaches, judges and volunteers, converged on the college for this statewide competition that tests students’ knowledge of aquatics, forestry, soils, wildlife, and environmental issues.

At the event, teams of five students rotated through four eco-stations where they demonstrated their environmental knowledge through hands-on activities. Each team also gave a presentation on this year’s designated current environmental issue: “Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy for Massachusetts Communities.” This year’s winners were: Overall Score 1st Place 4-H Bristol County 2nd Place Lexington High School 3rd Place Quabbin Regional High School

Teams prepare for the Envirothon throughout the year through classroom curricula and workshops. Each year teams focus on a different current issue that they research in their own community prior to the competition. Many teams also compete for Community Research and Community Service awards.

“Congratulations to this year’s Envirothon winners. I’m confident these students will make us proud at the national competition in July – showing the nation that Massachusetts is serious about energy conservation and renewable power not only today, but into future generations as well,” Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Ian Bowles said.

“As an innovator in renewable energy systems, Mount Wachusett Community College is thrilled to have hosted the 20th Massachusetts Envirothon,” said Mount Wachusett Community College President Daniel M. Asquino. “Encouraging today’s youth to think of innovative ways to improve our environment is vital to the future of our planet. They, along with our Natural Resources Technology students, are the Commonwealth’s aspiring environmental stewards.”

“It’s a great experience for students to represent their school or organization in a statewide competition testing their knowledge of aquatics, forestry, soils, wildlife, and current environmental issues,” said Mass. Envirothon Committee Chair Tom Anderson of the state Executive Office of Environmental Affairs.

Fifteen federal and state environmental agencies, conservation districts, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and businesses are involved in organizing the event.

Judges for the competition include more than 60 environmental professionals from government agencies, non-profit organizations, and private industry. Financial support is provided by corporate sponsors National Grid, Genzyme and Houghton Mifflin, and grants from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative and the U.S. Forest Service.

The Envirothon program originated in 1979 in Pennsylvania as the Environmental Olympics. In 1988 the name was changed to the Envirothon and the program was expanded to a national program. Massachusetts held its first competitive event in May 1988 with five teams participating.

Today’s winning team will have the opportunity to represent Massachusetts at the North American competition, the 2007 Canon Envirothon to be held in Geneva, New York in July. For more information on the Massachusetts Envirothon visit www.maenvirothon.org.

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Local high school students take top honors at the 20th annual Massachusetts Envirothon