Scioto County Hosts Area Envirothon
Portsmouth High School Represents Scioto County at the Event

Front Row (Left to Right): Charissa Chapman; Jalen Kennedy; Andrea White; Lee Carr; Patrick Underwood; Tony Brammer, Farm Credit Services
Back Row (Left to Right): Kiona Rogers, Astrid Petersson, Josh Greene, Tiffany Rowland, Wayne Johnson

For the first time since 1996, the Area 5 Envirothon was held in Scioto County.  Nearly 400 high school students, representing schools from seventeen Southern and Central Ohio Counties visited Shawnee State Park to participate in the Environmental Competition.  Portsmouth High School sent two teams to represent Scioto County at the event.

An outdoor, academic event for high school students, the Envirothon tests participants knowledge of a variety of conservation and environmental issues, including aquatics, forestry, soils, and wildlife.  Students work in teams answering questions and applying their natural resources knowledge in the field.

Portsmouth Advisor Diana Marsh worked with her students for several months to prepare them for the event.  From the resources the students reviewed in preparation of the Envirothon, they are introduced to many key environmental concepts and obtain a better understanding of natural resources.

Two teams from Logan High School in Hocking County finished first and second at the event and will advance to the Ohio Envirothon to be held at Urbana University in June.  Jackson High School and Buckeye Valley High School from Delaware County will also advance to the Ohio Envirothon.

The Envirothon provides a fun, creative means for educating young people about nature and the environment. Students leave the competition having had a positive experience and through their preparation, have a broader understanding of natural areas and the world around them. Several students from the Portsmouth team are looking forward to competing in next year’s Envirothon.

In Ohio, the Envirothon is sponsored by the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (OFSWCD) in cooperation with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). Natural resource and environmental specialists from several agencies, organizations, colleges, universities, park districts and businesses devise the Envirothon questions and staff the various test stations. Farm Credit Services in Lucasville, Sunoco Chemical in Haverhill and Osco Industries of Portsmouth donated the registration fees to send both teams to the event.

For more information about the Envirothon or to learn how to get your high school registered for next year’s competition, contact Jeff Montavon, jeff.montavon@oh.nacdnet.net, at (740) 259-9231.