COLUMBUS, OH – Teams of students from Franklin High School in Warren County, Athens High School in Athens County and Chardon High School in Geauga County placed first, second and third respectively in the Ohio Envirothon, held at Denison University and Dawes Arboretum in Licking County, June 11-13.

First prize was a check for $250 and a chance to represent Ohio at the Canon Envirothon, set for July 31-Aug. 6, at Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. Second prize was a check for $125 and third prize was a check for $50. Each of the three schools received a plaque commemorating its winning performance.

Twenty teams competed in this year’s Ohio Envirothon, an outdoor academic competition in which students are tested on their knowledge of soils, forestry, wildlife, aquatic ecology and current environmental issues. The contest was sponsored by the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, in cooperation with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).

Each year, the Envirothon focuses on a specific environmental issue. This year’s topic centered

on wetland management.

A team of five students, all from the same school, work cooperatively to answer questions at a series of five test stations. Envirothon questions are prepared by professionals from ODNR, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and other agencies and institutions.

Each of the 20 competing team in this year’s Ohio Envirothon earned the opportunity to compete at the state level by placing among the top four in its area Envirothon, held in May. Four teams from each of five area Envirothons traveled to Licking County to compete in the statewide event.

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Jane Beathard, ODNR Media Relations

(614) 265-6860

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Nelson Strong, ODNR Soil & Water Conservation
(614) 265-6779