Envirothon Tests Students' Knowledge, Ingenuity

Students from across Atlantic Canada will be in Port Hawkesbury tomorrow, Friday, May 5, and Saturday, May 6, for this year's Envirothon competition.

The Envirothon, sponsored by the Nova Scotia Forestry Association, is being held at the Strait campus of the Nova Scotia Community College. The contest focuses on testing students' knowledge and ingenuity in solving environmental challenges. Nova Scotia students will compete against participants from Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick.

Each five member team is tested on their knowledge and problem-solving skills in five areas including wildlife, forestry, soils, aquatics and a current environmental issue. The theme for this year's competition is Wetland Management, a topic particularly appropriate considering Nova Scotia's rich and diverse wetlands.

The winner from the contest will represent the Atlantic region at the Canon International Envirothon being held at Acadia University in Wolfville, this summer.

"I'm very excited," said Kate Harnish, a Grade 12 student at Sir John A. MacDonald High School in Halifax. Kate and some of her classmates will compete in the regional Envirothon with hopes to proceed to the international competition.

"Envirothon gives us the opportunity to learn outside the classroom," said Kate. "This is a great chance to visit actual ecosystems, and to meet and compete with other students who have a passion for the environment."

Linda Redmond, a Department of the Environment education officer, has been involved with Envirothon for three years.

"The students are dedicated to environmental issues and spend a lot of time preparing for the competition," said Ms. edmond. "Envirothon challenges their knowledge of natural resource ecosystems, their team spirit and critical thinking skills."

Russ Waycott, vice president of woodlands at Stora Enso in Port Hawkesbury, said the competition gives students a first-hand look at solving modern challenges.

"Envirothon is a unique program which challenges students to analyze real-world situations related to natural resources conservation, and develop practical, environmentally-sound solutions," said Mr. Waycott. "We are pleased to be a sponsor of this increasingly popular, international educational experience."

Nova Scotia will be the first Canadian province to host a Canon International Envirothon. Canon Envirothon will take place from July 31 to August 7 at Acadia University, Wolfville. This competition will see between 300 and 350 students from across North America compete.