Nebraska's Natural Resources Districts
LINCOLN, Nebraska – Between Jan. 30 and March 11, Nebraska high school students competed around the state during regional Envirothon competitions demonstrating natural resources knowledge by identifying trees and animal tracks, calculating the number of steers on rangeland, and determining soil structure.
The winning teams from each Envirothon region as well as eight wildcards – selected based on their competition scores – qualify to compete at the Nebraska State Envirothon. Out of the 70 teams that competed, this year’s state qualifiers include:
Traditionally, Nebraska’s six regional Envirothon competitions are hosted in conjunction with district agriculture education contests. High school students compete on five-member teams in seven environmental areas including: soils, aquatics, forestry, wildlife, range, policy and a current environmental issue.
Qualifying teams will compete at the State Envirothon April 30, at Chalco Hills Recreation Area in Omaha, Nebraska. During the state competition, teams compete in hands-on environmental testing stations as well as prepare and deliver an oral problem-solving presentation focusing on “Roots & Resiliency: Fostering Forest Stewardship in a Canopy of Change.”
The Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD) Foundation awards cash prizes to the top three teams at the state competition:
- First Place: $1,500
- Second Place: $1,000
- Third Place: $500