MADISON – Wisconsin Envirothon, sponsored by WI Land+Water, was held during Earth Week in Rosholt, WI at the Wisconsin Lions Camp on Friday, April 21, 2023. Wisconsin Envirothon is the state’s ultimate middle and high school environmental science challenge where teams of four or five high school or middle school students participate in four hands-on, mostly outdoor field challenges designed by natural resources professionals and educators.

Schools from across the state spent a sunny, chilly spring day testing their knowledge at various stations where they participated in multiple hands-on challenges. These exams are based on four categories: aquatic ecology, forestry, soils/land use, and wildlife.

Students identified tree species and measured tree diameters in the woods and assessed the engineering and agronomic properties of soils at the soils and land use station. They also identified aquatic invertebrates and invasive plants, as well as wildlife pelts and tracks. Additionally, they tested their classroom knowledge on written exams.

“We were excited to see so many schools compete in the WI Envirothon. We had 21 teams and 6 new schools competing this year,” said Kim Warkentin, Youth Education Director for WI Land+Water. “After a tough few years of virtual and hybrid events we were thrilled that the competition was held fully in person this year.”

Students were given three weeks to prepare a team presentation, which were based around this year’s Current Issue: Adapting to a Changing Climate. The Current Issue team presentation provides an opportunity to join fundamental knowledge and reasoning ability to understand and articulate today’s critical environmental concerns.

“Envirothon was a great experience,” said Tucker Galindo, a student from Ladysmith High School. “From the hands-on Forestry experience to tackling a very interesting current scenario problem, Envirothon gave us the opportunity to use our knowledge and apply it in an amazing way.”

Participating in Wisconsin Envirothon helps students develop knowledge and skills to either pursue careers in conservation or use their knowledge to preserve our natural resources in whatever civic and career choices that lie ahead.

“I am always amazed at the well-rounded career experience the students learn from competing in this competition,” said Kristen Kvalheim, Sun Prairie East High School Agricultural Education Global Food and Sustainability Academy FFA Advisor. “It gives students the opportunity to utilize tools and skills used in the field of these careers in natural resources and environmental sciences. It is truly preparing them for their futures.”

Sun Prairie East High School took the title of Overall winner in the High School level and will represent Wisconsin at the National Conservation Foundation-Envirothon taking place July 23-July 29, 2023 at Mount Allison University-New Brunswick, Canada.

Aquatic Ecology:
High School - Onalaska High School
Middle School – Aldo Leopold Community School

Forestry:
High School - Ladysmith High School
Middle School – Aldo Leopold Community School

Soils and Land Use:
High School – Elkhorn High School FFA
Middle School - Aldo Leopold Community School

Wildlife:
High School -Sun Prairie High School
Middle School – Alma Middle School

Team Presentations:
High School – Mt. Horeb High School FFA
Middle School - Aldo Leopold Community School

First Place FFA School:
Elkhorn High School FFA

Overall:
High School - Sun Prairie East High School
Middle School- Aldo Leopold Community School

The Wisconsin Envirothon is a program of WI Land+Water, led by its Youth Education Committee, and is made possible by the many generous volunteers made up of natural resource professionals and educators. The event also relies on the volunteer and financial support of many agency partners, county conservation departments, and organizations and businesses that are dedicated to conservation.

For a complete list of winners and financial supporters, visit the 2023 Envirothon Results page.