Chardon High School Team Wins 2010 Ohio Envirothon

A team of Chardon High School students from Geauga County placed first in the 2010 Ohio Envirothon, held at Lake Erie College June 14-15, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).

Eighteen teams from 16 Ohio high schools participated in this year’s outdoor competition, which tested students’ knowledge of soils and land use, forestry, wildlife, aquatic ecology and current environmental issues.

First prize was a check for $300 and a chance to represent Ohio at the North American Canon Envirothon, set for August 1-6 at the University of California in Fresno.

The Fort Jennings High School team from Putnam County finished second in the competition, taking home a check for $200. A team from Franklin High School in Warren County placed third, winning a check for $100. Each school received a plaque commemorating its winning performance.

In addition to the awards presented to the top three scoring teams, medallions were presented to the following teams for high scores at individual ecostations: United FFA from Columbiana County in Forestry and Wildlife and Mount Vernon FFA in Knox County in Wildlife (tie).
In addition to field testing, Envirothon student teams are required to prepare and present an oral presentation related to an environmental issue. Teams were given the task of designing a low impact housing development, focusing on how to best protect existing water resources. A rookie team representing West Union High School in Adams County took top honors in the oral presentation category.

ODNR’s Division of Soil & Water Resources and the Ohio Federation of Soil & Water Conservation Districts sponsor the annual event.

Each participating team earned the opportunity to compete at the state level by placing among the top four teams in five regional Envirothons that were held in April and May, involving over 1,500 high school students.

Each year, the Envirothon focuses on a specific environmental issue. This year’s topic centered on protecting ground water resources through urban, agricultural, and environmental planning. Competition questions were prepared by professionals from ODNR, Cuyahoga SWCD, Grand River Partners, Ohio EPA, Home Horticultural Services, and Lake Metroparks.
The Ohio Envirothon is funded by donations from individuals, soil and water conservation districts, local businesses, agencies and organizations. Major donors for the 2010 Ohio Envirothon included the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Education Fund, the ODNR Divisions of Wildlife and Forestry, Pheasants Forever, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Lubrizol Corporation, The Greater Cleveland Partnership, the Ohio Environmental Council, CSX Corporation, the Ohio Federation of Soil & Water Conservation Districts, Lake Metroparks, and Canon Envirothon.