By Public Affairs Specialist Chris Maestas, NRCS, ND
The North Dakota Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) state office provided staff to assist in judging the final round of oral presentations at the 2024 North Dakota Envirothon held May 10 at Crystal Springs Camp.
Twenty-three teams from across the state participated in this year’s Envirothon, engaging in a comprehensive study and field tests covering four environmental disciplines.
Andrea Peterson, North Dakota Envirothon Coordinator, emphasized the program’s significance, stating, “We aim to instill in students the value of conservation and natural resources, providing them with invaluable outdoor experiences.”
Bismarck High School secured the top spot at the 2024 North Dakota Envirothon State Competition, with Minot High School in second place and West Fargo High School earning third place honors.
Fred Aziz, chairperson for the North Dakota Envirothon, underscored the program’s lasting impact, saying, “Year after year, participants go on to higher education and return as mentors or volunteers. It’s a cycle of continuous learning and giving back.”
The Envirothon plays a crucial role in challenging students to consider the protection of the environment and preservation of natural resources.
Dan Hovland, North Dakota NRCS state conservationist and judge, expressed enthusiasm about interacting with the students, stating, “It was inspiring to engage with such sharp teams addressing conservation issues from a grassroots level. Conversations about conservation with today’s youth are always enlightening.”
The North Dakota Envirothon serves as a hands-on, problem-solving environmental education initiative accessible to high school students statewide. Its objective is to foster curiosity about North Dakota’s natural environment and equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to address complex environmental challenges through resource management and ecological practices. For further details bout the North Dakota 2024 Envirothon, contact Andrea Petersen, North Dakota Envirothon Coordinator, at ndenvirothon@gmail.com.
