2008 EHS Envirothon
by Tracee Orman
April 12, 2008
EHS Envirothon Members Compete, Possibly For Last Time
Nine EHS students traveled to Highland Community College in
Freeport last Thursday to compete in the annual Envirothon, which
educates high school students about current environmental
issues.
Representing Erie High School in the competition were junior Matt
Swanson and sophomores Nate Agnew, Zach Agnew, Megan Sattizahn, and
Jarett Svihlik as Erie team 1. Sophomores Daniel Cowley, Madelyn
Dorta, Sean Leeds, and Carl Petersen were Erie team 2. Advisers
were Mr. Brad Storm and Mrs. Tracee Orman.
Team 1 finished 10th place of 32 teams while team 2 finished 20th. This was a great improvement over last year’s placings, in which Erie placed 22nd and 28thof 29 teams.
Each team was tested in the subject areas of soils, aquatics, wildlife, forestry, and wetlands management. The teams also gave a presentation on the wetlands management (or referred to as the 5th category). Each year the scenario changes and this year the group had to act as a consulting firm for their community regarding which recreational activities they would allow in their park.
“The Envirothon's total purpose is to add to their appreciation and knowledge of the natural environment and our need to preserve and maintain it,” said Nancy Anderson, of the Whiteside County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD). “It is a very real responsibility and one that is becoming increasingly harder to fulfill.”
Anderson met with the students and advisers several times throughout the year to prepare them for the competition.
This is the sixth year Mr. Storm and Mrs. Orman have been taking students to the competition, but it could be the last.
“At this time, due to our lack of funding from the State of Illinois this will probably be the last Envirothon,” said Anderson in an e-mail to the advisers.
“It seems to me that now, more than ever before, is the time to put money into educating our youth on the environment,” Orman said. “These kids are going to be our future farmers, conservationists, educators, or business leaders. If we don’t educate them about these issues, who will? We rely on Nancy and the Whiteside County SWCD to supplement our curriculum and give these kids hands-on experience.”
The Whiteside County SWCD office will close sometime this summer or early fall unless they receive funding from the State to stay open.
You can help by writing a letter to Governor Blagojevich in support of the Whiteside County SWCD. A sample letter can be found on the Association of Illinois Soil & Water Conservation Districts website (www.aiswcd.org).
