The team from Bradford Area High School placed seventh out of 65 teams at the 35th Pennsylvania Envirothon state competition, held this week at Susquehanna University and Camp Mount Luther.
The Bradford Bees, which represented McKean County, was made up of Nick Haner, Ethan Hollamby, Austin Jadlowiec, Clare Mulcahy and Tyler Thompson; and was coached by advisors Jan Russell and Rich Bierbower.
The McKean County Conservation District said the team placed the highest of any McKean County team at the state event since the local ‘Wild’ Envirothon began in 1990. The team garnered its highest score in the oral presentation component of the competition.
Students from Cameron, Elk and Potter counties also participated in the event.
At the Envirothon, five-member teams participate in a series of field station tests that focus on five topic areas — soils and land use, aquatic ecology, forestry, wildlife, and environmental issues. The 2018 current environmental issues focused on The Benefits of Grassland and Pastureland Management. The teams also prepare and deliver oral presentations to panels of judges who evaluate each team on its problem-solving capabilities, oral presentation skills and recommendations to help solve the specific environmental challenge, which relates to the current environmental issue.
Students must also defend their position in a questioning session immediately following their presentation.
Teams participating represent the best and the brightest of the thousands of high school teens who have competed in county Envirothon competitions sponsored by conservation districts from across the state and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. At the state level, the Envirothon is sponsored by Pennsylvania’s 66 county conservation districts, the State Conservation Commission and the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts.
Bradford’s team scored 482 out of a possible 600.
Each of the top ten teams received a plaque and other prizes.
For more information on the Envirothon program, contact your county conservation district or contact the Pennsylvania Envirothon by phone (814) 623-7900 ext. 111, email lsteach@envirothonpa.org or visit the website at www.envirothonpa.org.
