Franklin County High School’s Envirothon Team Advances to State Competition
Pictured left to right: Autumn Young, D. Allen Jackson (Coach),
Jean Capps (Ag Teacher & FFA Advisor), Logan Smith, Taylor Dudley,
Emily Howell & Jason Tyree
Three Area V Dominion Envirothon (natural resources competition) teams advance to the state competition May 21-22 at Virginia State University in Petersburg, Virginia. The Area V Dominion Envirothon competition was held on April 25, 2017 at Sweet Briar College in Virginia and hosted by Robert E. Lee and Peaks of Otter Soil & Water Conservation Districts.
Overall first place at the Area V Envirothon competition went to Fuqua School (sponsored by Piedmont SWCD), placing second overall was Buckingham County High School (sponsored by Peter Francisco SWCD) and overall third place went to Franklin County High School (sponsored by Blue Ridge SWCD). Halifax County High School also participating in the Area V Envirothon (sponsored by Halifax SWCD).
Envirothon features five “in-the-field” test stations – soils, wildlife, aquatics, forestry and a current environmental issue – where teams answer questions in both written and hands-on formats. During an oral presentation teams propose a management solution related to the current environmental issue to a panel of judges consisting of industry and natural resource professionals. This year’s issue is “Agricultural Soil and Water Conservation Stewardship”. Franklin County High School’s Dominion Envirothon Team placed 1st Overall in Soils, 2nd in Oral Presentation and placed in the top three teams to advance to Virginia’s Dominion Envirothon State Competition at Virginia State University.
“The intense study required for this contest helps prepare students for college entrance exams, as well as possible careers in field associated with natural resources,” said Steven Meeks, President of the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Fueled by Dominion Resource’s generous sponsorship, the Envirothon program will undoubtedly continue to grow. Cindy Balderson, Philanthropy Manager for Dominion Power and The Dominion Foundation shared the excitement of the new partnership stating, “We believe the students’ participation in Envirothon activities will prepare them for college and beyond, as they study environmental issues and become advocates and stewards of our natural resources.
The team that earns 1st place at the state level competition will travel to Emmitsburg, Maryland to battle it out at the North American competition (July 23-July 29, 2017).
Blue Ridge Soil and Water Conservation District (serving Franklin, Henry, Roanoke Counties and the City of Roanoke) needs help sponsoring students for next year’s Envirothon. If you can help, or would like to know more about starting an Envirothon team at your high school through 4-H, FFA, Ecology Club or home school group, contact Kathy Smith at (540) 483-5341 ext. 117 or (276) 632-3164 ext. 117 or contact the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts at (800) 727-6354.
Natural Resource Conservation Teaching Resources:
Agriculture in Virginia
Fresh_Foods_from_Farm-to-Table_Teacher_Guide
Forestry
2016 EdGuide_WeAllNeedTrees_NACD(c)2015Ver1)
2016 NACD-15102_Forestry_Bookmark_HR
2016 WeAllNeedTrees_NACD(c)2015EdPages_Grade2-3
2016 WeAllNeedTrees_NACD(c)2015EdPages_Grade4-5
2016 WeAllNeedTrees_NACD(c)2015EdPages_Grade6-8
Forestry-Working Trees for Treating Waste-2011
Forestry-Working Trees for Silvopasture
Forestry-Working Trees for Communities-2011
Forestry-Working Trees for Carbon- Windbreaks in the US- 2011 – Copy
Forestry-Working Trees for Carbon Cycle Balance-2011
Forestry-Working Trees for Agriculture-2011 – Copy
Forestry- Working Trees for Wildlife-2011
Forestry- Working Trees for Water Quality-2011 – Copy
Forestry- Working Trees for Livestock-2011
A Guide for Prescribed Fire In Southern Forests
Pollination
NACD_Pollinator_Plants_Worksheet_Level1_GrK-1_(c)2014NACD
NACD_BeesArePollinators_Worksheet_Level1_GrK-1_b(c)2014NACD
NACD_PollinatorsAndIceCream_Worksheet_Level2_Gr2-3_b(c)2014NACD
NACD_Pollinator_Hunt_Worksheet_Level2_Gr2-3_a(c)2014NACD
The Pollinator Activity-Grade Two
Soil
DD_Gr_K-1_Worksheet_(2)(c)NACD2013nacdnet.org
2nd and 3rd grades-Soil and Senses worksheet-NACD
DD_Gr2-3_Worksheet(2)(c)NACD2013nacdnet.org
DD_Gr4-5_Worksheet_(c)NACD2013_nacdnet.org (1)
DD_Gr4-5_Worksheet(2)_(c)NACD2013_nacdnet.org
4th-5th Grades-Trophic Levels-who Eats Who-worksheet-NACD
6th Grade plus-Minerals Activity-NACD
Watershed/Water Quality
Healthy Water Hopscotch_instructions
Stream Insects & Crustaceans ID Card
Macro Invertebrate Key_Complete-Stroud Water Research Center
2015-Microinvertebrate Slide Project Summary
Watershed-DCRposter-activitysheet
Water Quality Ask the Bugs SCP Gray
Key to Macro Life in the River
Water Use Table- Life of a Drop
Water Cycle Colored Teacher Overhead Sheet
Water Cycle Colored Student Sheet
Incredible Journey Activity for K-3
Incredible Journey – Water Cycle activity
Wildlife
Hello,
My name is Christa Madison. I am a rising senior in Roanoke, and I am interested in applying for the VASWCD Educational Foundation scholarship. I read on the Virginia SWCD website each district has their own application for the scholarship. If the Blue Ridge specific application could be emailed to me that would be great! Thank you!
Sincerely,
Christa Madison