The 2024 Garrett County Envirothon competition was held on April 30th at Hickory Environmental Education Center. Teams and their teachers/coaches from Northern and Southern Garrett High Schools competed for points in various conservation challenges.
The annual event is a full day of competition. Students prepared by attending a spring and fall training day at HEEC and working with their coaches throughout the school year. Envirothon is a problem-solving, hands-on natural resources competition with the objectives of promoting a deeper knowledge of how individuals and groups impact the environment by understanding environmental interactions and interdependence, being aware of current environmental issues, agencies, and resources that assist in resource protection and conservation practices; and raising environmental awareness.
Resource trainers from area agencies provided volunteer training and mentoring throughout the year for students and were integral participants during the training and testing days. The five competition categories are traditionally wildlife, aquatics, forestry, soils, and a special fifth issue selected each year.
Maryland DNR Park Service, Forestry and Wildlife Agencies, Garrett County Forestry Board, Garrett Soil Conservation District, US Department of Agriculture, and Garrett County Extension Services were area agencies that assisted with this year’s training and competition.
This year’s coaches were Carrie Glass (NGHS) and Erin Coffman (SGHS). Sharon Hoover, Randy Sharpless, Rebecca Kenyon-Sisler, and Jason Shank of the Hickory Environmental Education Center provided special assistance.
Participating students were:
- Northern High School—Joe Burris, Lydia Nelson, Isabel Knapp, Sophia Rankin, and Jackie Patton
- Southern High School—Rylee Iden, Fontana Moreland, Zobiana Dillsworth, Lani Daugherty, and Ayla Rodeheaver
Recognition is given to teams earning a high score in individual categories and overall. Category winners this year were as follows:
- Aquatics – Southern High School
- Forestry – Southern High School
- Soils – Southern High School
- Wildlife – Southern High School
- 5th Issue (Waste to Resources) – Northern High School
The Southern High team was the overall winner of the competition. They will continue to train and prepare for the Maryland State Envirothon competition, which will be held June 11-13 at Mount St. Mary’s College.
The Envirothon began in 1979 in Pennsylvania and had its first national competition in 1988. GCPS students in grades 9-12 are eligible to participate. For more information about Garrett County Envirothon teams and competitions, contact Rebecca Kenyon-Sisler at rebecca.kenyon@gcps.net.
