The Northampton County Conservation District held its annual Envirothon competition April 21. This year’s event was held live and outdoors at Louise Moore County Park. COVID-19 affected the 2020 event, causing it to be canceled, and 2021 was hybrid/on line. Each team was given materials and objectives to study in advance this year.

The teams are tested in five areas at the competition: Wildlife, Forestry, Soils & Land Use, Aquatic Ecology and a current environmental issue (this year’s topic was ‘Waste to Resources’). Incorporating STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) principles, experiential learning, critical thinking and hands-on outdoor field experiences, the Envirothon fosters student learning in each area as well as the spirit of competition, sportsmanship and leadership.

Northampton County Conservation District Manager Dion Campbell, P.E., and Northampton County Council member Tara Zrinski watched as students investigated and calculated their findings. Zrinski praised the “enthusiasm and knowledge that each team presented and their understanding of environmentalism.”

When asked which area was the most challenging, almost unanimously all students said the Wildlife area, with Aquatic Ecology being second. Only Northampton HS “#2 team” student Brad Smith expressed ease with these topics, as he was familiar with outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing. The least challenging area arguably was the current environmental issue, this year’s topic being waste to resource.

Freedom HS’s “black team” student Michael Monic pointed out that “recycling has always been part of our lives, making this area easier.”

Competing in this year’s event were the Bangor, Freedom, Nazareth, Northampton, Pen Argyl and Saucon Valley high schools. Each team consisted of no more than five students and an advisor. Bangor, Freedom, Northampton and Nazareth each had two teams per school and Saucon Valley and PenArgyl presented one. This year Bangor HS ‘s“maroon team” placed first, Freedom’s “black team” placed second and Bangor’s ”white team” placed third.

The Northampton County Envirothon started in 1998 with only four teams competing. The Northampton County Envirothon invites all 15 Northampton County high schools and home school programs to participate.