EDUCATION PROGRAMS

ENVIROTHON COMPETITION

13^TH AREA III ENVIROTHON IS LARGE SUCCESS!!

The 13^th Annual Area III Envirothon was held this year at the YMCA Camp Miller on May 7^th.  This is an environmental learning event held outdoors for high school students grades 9-12.  The Soil and Water Districts from Area III sponsor the Envirothon.  Area III includes the counties of Pine, Carlton, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Aitkin, St. Louis, Cook, and Lake.

 55 teams participated at this years’ Envirothon, bringing approximately 225 students, from 12 different schools.  Students attended five stations where a spokesperson gave a brief presentation. The students then competed by means of a written test related to that station.  This year's stations included: forestry, wildlife, water quality, soils, and current events.  The current event topic this year was Alternative/Renewable Energy.  Students were also judged on an oral presentation for the current events topic - Alternative/Renewable Energy.

This year's Area III winners were:

1st place – Two Harbors High School

2nd place - Two Harbors High School

3rd place - Cromwell High School

4^th place – Kelley High School

5^th place – Moose Lake High School

 The top three teams from our area went on to attend the State Envirothon, which was held at Lake Shetek Lutheran Camp in Slayton, MN on May 16^th. The students competed with other teams from across the state. At the State Envirothon, Two Harbors High School placed 12^th and 16^th, while Cromwell placed 18^th. 

 The winner from the State Envirothon, Benilde-St. Margaret’s school, will now start preparing for the national competition. The National Envirothon will be held at the Hobart & William Smith Colleges in Geneva, New York, July 39-August 4^th. College tuition scholarships are awarded by Canon U.S.A. at the National Envirothon totaling $30,000. 

 The Soil and Water Conservation Districts coordinate the Area III Envirothon and are always looking for volunteers to help with the event.  Anyone who would like to donate funding,  time, or supplies to this event is invited to call the Carlton SWCD at (218) 384-3891 for more information.  A big thank you to goes out to all the businesses that donated to this year's event.

For more information or to register your team, visit the Board of Water and Soil Resources site at:

 www.bwsr.state.mn.us/outreach/envirothon/index.html

South Terrace Outdoor Learning Center of Carlton County(STOLCCC)

The South Terrace Outdoor Learning Center of Carlton County (STOLCCC for short) is a cooperative effort between the Carlton County SWCD, Carlton County, and the Carlton School District, with financial support from the MN DNR Lake Superior Coastal Program. The goal of the Carlton School Forest is to provide a multi-use activity trail that will be used by both the school and community to educate and increase awareness about our natural environment. The site provides a unique learning environment, one where cross-curriculum education, peer mentoring, and hands-on activities add to the educational experience of area students and residents. All educational disciplines are encouraged to use this area; science, math, English, physical education, art, history, social studies, and foreign language. In addition, this will be a community area, one that will promote education and physical activity. The trail can be used for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, and running.