Department for Natural Resources
Kentucky Division of Conservation Announces 2009 Envirothon Winners

The Kentucky Division of Conservation announced today the winner of the 2009 Kentucky Envirothon. Model Laboratory School in Richmond topped all other groups in the competition held May 21-22 at the Kentucky Leadership Center near Nancy.
 

The competition began with 32 teams from across the state contending for the top slots from each of the two regional competitions held in April at the Pennyrile State Forest and Morehead State University Farm.  Model, Boyle County High School, Scott County FFA, Southwestern High School from Pulaski County, Oldham County FFA, Louisville’s DuPont Manual and West Carter High School earned advancement to the state finals.

Students were tested on their environmental knowledge in five areas: soils, aquatics, forestry, wildlife, and “Biodiversity in a Changing World.” During the state competition, students were also judged on an oral presentation dealing with “Biodiversity in a Changing World.”  The results are:

·         Finishing behind Model, the teams from the Fayette County 4-H Club and the Oldham County FFA took second and third place, respectively.

·         Model won the site competition in soils, forestry, and tied for first place in aquatics with Fayette County.

·         Fayette County won the oral presentation.

·         Oldham County tied with DuPont Manual High School for the win in the special topics section.

·         DuPont Manual placed fourth in the competition with a win in the wildlife section of the test.

The state winner will go on to represent Kentucky at the Canon Envirothon, a national event hosted by the University of North Carolina in Ashville Aug. 2- 8, 2009.

“This year’s state contest was very competitive and the close competition demonstrated the hard work of each of the state teams,” said Division of Conservation Director Steve Coleman.  “This tough state contest will prepare Kentucky’s winning team to finish in the top level at the national contest.  We wish Model Laboratory School great success at the Canon Envirothon later this summer.”

Sponsors of the Kentucky Envirothon are: Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts, Kentucky Farm Bureau, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Farm Credit Services, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts’ Auxiliary, Kentucky Environmental Education Council and several local conservation districts. The Kentucky Division of Forestry, Kentucky Division of Water, and the Kentucky Division of Conservation assisted with the competition.

      Carl Campbell, Commissioner of the Department for Natural Resources added, “The depth of knowledge exhibited by these students bodes well for the future conservation of our natural resources.  Envirothon creates a fine opportunity to showcase the intellect and talent of Kentucky’s students.”

##