Environmental Education: 2011 Maryland High School Envirothon

WHO
While most high school students are wrapping up final exams and tossing their backpacks aside, more than 100 of Maryland’s brightest teenagers will be competing at the 21st annual Maryland Envirothon, a rigorous two-day, outdoor natural resources competition for teens interested in learning about the environment.  Teams that won their county competition and are competing for the state title include:  Allegany High School (Allegany Co.), South River High School (Anne Arundel Co.), Western School of Technology & Environmental Science (Baltimore Co.), Calvert High School (Calvert Co.), Boy Scout Venturing Crew 202 (Carroll Co.), The Tome School (Cecil Co.), Westlake High School (Charles Co.), Cambridge South Dorchester High School (Dorchester Co.), Walkersville High School (Frederick Co.), Northern Garrett High School (Garrett Co.), Harford Christian School (Harford Co.), Wilde Lake High School (Howard Co.), Kent County High School (Kent Co.), Montgomery Blair High School (Montgomery Co.), Oxon Hill Senior High School (Prince George’s Co.), Washington High School and Academy (Somerset Co.), Leonardtown High School (St. Mary’s Co.), Saints Peter & Paul High School (Talbot Co.), Clear Spring High School (Washington Co.), and Pocomoke High School (Worcester Co.).

WHAT
Students taking part in the Maryland Envirothon have been studying the state’s natural resources for the past year. In written tests, five member teams demonstrate their knowledge of soils, forestry, aquatics, wildlife, and this year’s special environmental issue:  estuaries.  Teamwork and problem solving skills are evaluated by natural resource professionals.  The winner of the Maryland Envirothon represents the state at the Canon Envirothon, North America’s largest outdoor environmental competition.

WHEN
News and photo opportunities available:
June 15, 2011, 1-5 p.m. –Student Field Training
June 16, 2011, 8-11:30 a.m.—Competition and 1-2 p.m.—Awards Presentation

WHERE
St. Mary’s College of Maryland, 18952 E. Fisher Road, St. Mary’s City, MD 20686

DIRECTIONS
From points north:  Take I-97 to MD Rte. 3 in Bowie.  Follow Rte. 3 to MD Rte. 4 in Upper Marlboro.  Take Rte. 4 south through Prince Frederick and cross the Thomas Johnson Bridge at Solomons.  About 3 miles from the bridge turn left at the first traffic light onto MD Rte. 235 South.  Travel 4.5 miles through Lexington Park, turning right onto Shangri La Drive.  Proceed through the next traffic light.  Bear left at the fork in the road on Willows Road and drive 3 miles to the stop sign at MD Rte. 5 South.  Turn left and continue 4 miles to the college.  After entering the campus, turn right on Mill Field Drive and follow the signs to the Campus Center to meet with the media contact.

CONTACT
Beth Horsey, Maryland Department of Agriculture, 410-841-5865. During the event please call 443-254-3822.

The Maryland Envirothon is sponsored by the Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts and the State Soil Conservation Committee.