MADISON – Students climbed into a soil pit, peered at aquatic invertebrates, and discussed the future of Wisconsin's waters—all before lunch. Over 155 middle and high school students from across Wisconsin competed at 2026 Wisconsin Envirothon, a statewide hands-on environmental science competition, sponsored by WI Land+Water and held at the Wisconsin Lion’s camp in Rosholt, WI. 

Middleton High School claimed the top spot in the High School division, earning the highest overall score out of 29 teams. They will represent Wisconsin on the international stage this summer, competing against teams from across the United States, Canada, China, and Singapore at the National Conservation Foundation Envirothon in Starkville, Mississippi. 

Other top finishers include Sun Prairie East High School, earning the title of top overall FFA Team, with Fox River Academy Middle School FFA, taking home top honors in the Middle School division. 

This year's competition drew many returning and six first-time schools who tested their knowledge and field skills across four disciplines: aquatic ecology, forestry, soils and land use, and wildlife. Unlike a traditional exam, Envirothon puts students in the field, with hands-on opportunities to identify and measure trees, analyze soil profiles, recognize invasive aquatic plants, and interpret wildlife surveys and data. 

Beyond the field stations, teams had three weeks to research and prepare a response to this year's Current Issue scenario: “Non-Point Source Pollution: It begins at home!”. The challenge focused on a fictional Wisconsin lake community wrestling with real problems like algae blooms, phosphorous impairment, and the effects of agricultural and residential runoff. On competition day, students presented their lake improvement plans to a panel of judges, covering everything from pollution sources and management strategies to community outreach and measurable outcomes. 

The exams and Current Issue scenario are created and delivered by local natural resources professionals from county land and water departments, NRCS, DNR, DATCP, Pheasants Forever, and UW-Stevens Point. After the competition, those same professionals take time to review results with students directly explaining their exams, offering feedback, and answering questions about their own career paths. For many students, it's their first time working with a wildlife biologist, forester, or conservation technician. 

“These are the kinds of real-world conservation problems that natural resources professionals face every day,” said Kim Warkentin, Youth Education Director for WI Land+Water. "The students are thinking about the same questions that land and water professionals address in their own local communities. That's an extraordinary thing for high school or middle school students to understand and experience."

Wisconsin Envirothon is organized by WI Land+Water, a statewide nonprofit supporting locally led conservation efforts. Participating in this event helps students build the knowledge, skills, and professional connections to pursue careers in conservation or to become more informed stewards of the natural resources around them, whatever path they choose. For more information or to get your school involved, visit wisconsinlandwater.org/Envirothon
 

2026 Envirothon Results

Overall: 
High School 

• 1st Place - Middleton High School          
• 2nd Place - Sun Prairie East High School FFA
• 3rd Place - Cedarburg High School 1                                                                   

Middle School

• 1st Place - Fox River Academy Middle School FFA                 
• 2nd Place - Red Smith Middle School FFA                  
• 3rd Place - Mayville Middle School FFA    

Top FFA High School: 

• 1st Place - Sun Prairie East High School FFA                    
• 2nd Place - Bay Port High School FFA 1                                 
• 3rd Place - Green Bay East High School FFA         

Aquatic Ecology:

High School 

• 1st Place - Middleton High School                                        
• 2nd Place - Deforest Area High School FFA                         
• 3rd Place - Sun Prairie East High School FFA         

Middle School

• 1st Place - Fox River Academy Middle School FFA                 
• 2nd Place - Red Smith Middle School FFA                  
• 3rd Place - Mayville Middle School FFA                                        

Forestry:
High School 

• 1st Place - Alma High School FFA                              
• 2nd Place - Bayport High School FFA 1                                  
• 3rd Place - Middleton High School

Middle School

• 1st Place - Fox River Academy Middle School FFA                 
• 2nd Place - Red Smith Middle School FFA                  
• 3rd Place - Mayville Middle School FFA                                       

Soils and Land Use:
High School

• 1st Place - Cedarburg High School 1                                     
• 2nd Place - Onalaska High School                             
• 3rd Place - Sun Prairie East High School FFA         

Middle School 

• 1st Place - Red Smith Middle School FFA                  
• 2nd Place - Mayville Middle School FFA                    
• 3rd Place - Winter Middle School                                                            

Wildlife:
High School

• 1st Place - Middleton High School
• 2nd Place - Cedarburg High School 1
• 3rd Place - Sun Prairie East Highschool FFA          

Middle School 

• 1st Place - Fox River Academy Middle Scchool FFA
• 2nd Place - Mayville Middle School FFA
• 3rd Place - Red Smith Middle School FFA                                                                                        

Current Issue Presentation:  
High School

• 1st Place - Sun Prairie East High School FFA                     
• 2nd Place - Deforest Area High School FFA                     
• 3rd Place - Middleton High School        

Middle School

• 1st Place - Fox River Academy Middle School FFA
• 2nd Place - Red Smith Middle School FFA
• 3rd Place - Winter Middle School