Good Luck to Hopkins HS at the National Envirothon
Hopkins students will travel to Maryland next week for the national competition
The Minnesota Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts (MASWCD) would like to congratulate and wish good luck to the students from Hopkins High School who will travel to Maryland next week to represent Minnesota in the National Envirothon. The Hopkins team placed first in the Minnesota State Envirothon, earning its bid to nationals. Envirothon is an annual environmental education program for high school students that combines classroom learning with outdoor activities. Through the Envirothon, students learn about natural resources, develop teamwork skills, gain valuable exposure to a range of disciplines, and explore possible career paths. MASWCD is a proud longtime sponsor of the Minnesota State Envirothon. Before competing at the state Envirothon, teams must first compete in a regional area Envirothon, which are hosted and managed by local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) staff members. The top three teams from each area advance to the Minnesota State Envirothon. Students are tested on their knowledge in five topic areas: aquatics, forestry, soils, wildlife, and a current environmental issue. “The Envirothon is a great hands-on experience for high school students, educating youth on the importance of protecting the future of our natural resources,” said Judy Johnston, Minnesota State Envirothon coordinator from Stevens County SWCD. “It’s also a great opportunity to introduce students to potential career opportunities in the field of natural resource management.” Each team gives a 10-minute oral presentation which challenges teams to work together and communicate their solution to the environmental issue in front of a panel of judges. For 2017, the current events topic was “Agricultural Soil and Water Stewardship.” In 2017, 26 teams competed in the Minnesota State Envirothon contest held in Stewartville. Rounding out the podium behind Hopkins were Dilworth-Glendon-Felton High School (second place) and Crookston High School (third place). “We are so grateful to our SWCD staffers from around the state who dedicate their time and energy to make this event outstanding,” said LeAnn Buck, executive director of MASWCD. “We wish Hopkins High School continued success in the national competition.” In addition to MASWCD, sponsors of 2017 Minnesota State Envirothon competition included the Minnesota Association of Conservation District Employees (MACDE), Minnesota Corn Growers, Smithfield Foods, and the Minnesota Erosion Control Association (MECA). For more information about the Minnesota State Envirothon, visit maswcd.org/envirothon. The first place team from Hopkins High School. The second place team from Dilworth-Glendon-Felton High School. The third place team Crookston High School. Students compete at the wildlife station. |