Seven teams from the Sugar Valley Rural Charter School, two from Central Mountain High and five from Bucktail High competed this year to claim the first-place trophy to display in their school, and to claim their spot in the state Envirothon competition in May.

High school students in 9th through 12th grade prepare throughout the school year to be tested on various aspects of the environment and ecology.

Students are tested on the following subjects: Aquatics, Forestry, Soils, Wildlife, and this year’s Current Issue — Adapting to a Changing Climate. The agencies who assisted with the testing were: DCNR Bureau of Forestry Sproul State Forest, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Clinton County Conservation District.

The Envirothon program gives high school students the knowledge they will need as adults to make informed decisions about their environment and conservation of natural resources.

CHASE BOTTORF/THE EXPRESS A group of Sugar Valley students participate in an Envirothon activity.

The study material and learning objectives used are correlated with the PA Academic Standards and Assessment Anchors for Environment and Ecology. The County Envirothon is sponsored by the Clinton County Conservation District, with financial and technical support from the Pennsylvania Envirothon, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Southern Clinton County Sportsmen and the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts.

The Sugar Valley Rural Charter School, “Tsuga Canadensis” team, was the winner of this year’s county competition and will be representing Clinton County in the Pennsylvania Envirothon on May 24.

The “Tsuga Canadensis” team consists of the following members: Olivia Clester, Madisyn Garcia, Kyle Stahl, Nolan Bubb and Isaiah Conoway. Their advisors are Robbie Weaver and Chuck Bechdel.

The second-place team from the Sugar Valley Rural Charter School was ” Lynx Rufus,” with the following members: Dakota Holdren, Gracie Holter, Ryland Reidell, Wyatt Conoway and George Dills. Third place went to “Massasauga Rattlers,” with the following members: Lincoln Breon, Thayne Jeffries, Bryer Martin, Parker Liddic and Benjamin Parker

“Congratulations to all of the winning teams, and a sincere thank you to all the students that competed in the Clinton County Envirothon! In addition, thank you to the parents and teachers for supporting their children and students for the 2023 competition,” a release from the conservation district said.

CHASE BOTTORF/THE EXPRESS A group of Sugar Valley students participate in an Envirothon activity.

If you have any questions or would like more information, contact the Clinton County Conservation District, at 570-726-3798.