Chardon High School students win 2008 Ohio Envirothon Fort Jennings High School team finishes second; Wynford High School places third

A team of students from Chardon High School in Geauga County placed first in the 2008 Ohio Envirothon, held at Urbana University June 8-10, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). This year marked Ohio's 20th annual Envirothon competition.

Twenty teams from 17 Ohio high schools participated in this year's outdoors competition, which tested students' knowledge of soils and land use, forestry, wildlife, aquatic ecology and current environmental issues.

First prize was a check for $300 and registration as Ohio's representative to the North American Canon Envirothon, set for July 28-Aug. 3 at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. There, students from 55 states and provinces will compete for more than $125,000 in academic scholarships and prizes.

The Fort Jennings High School team from Putnam County finished second in Ohio's recent competition, taking home a check for $200. A team from Wynford High School in Crawford County placed third, taking home a check for $100. The team from Hardin Northern High School in Hardin County took honors as the high scoring "rookie" team in the event. Each of the teams also received a plaque to display at the school.

ODNR's Division of Soil and Water Conservation and the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts sponsor the annual event.

Wildlife -- Chardon "Team A."

Aquatic Ecology -- Fort Jennings High School Team I; Fort Jennings Team II; Hardin Northern High School (three way tie).

Current Environmental Issue -- Fort Jennings Team I.

Forestry -- Chardon Team A; Hardin Northern; Fort Jennings Team I (three-way tie).

Oral Presentation -- Chardon Team A.

The Ohio Envirothon is funded by donations from individuals, individual county soil and water conservation districts, local businesses, agencies and organizations. Donors for the 2008 Ohio Envirothon included: American Electric Power, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Education Fund, the ODNR Divisions of Wildlife and Forestry, Pheasants Forever, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Credit Services, the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and Canon Envirothon.