Congratulations to Fulton High School Envirothon Team #1, for winning the 2018 Envirothon competition for Northwest Illinois Land Use Council #1, which includes Stephenson, Carroll, Lee, JoDaviess, and Whiteside Soil and Water Conservation Districts. The competition was held Tuesday, March 13, 2018, at Highland Community College Student Center, Freeport, IL. Shown left-to-right are Carolyn Graham, Faith VanKampen, Pierre Mure-Ravaud, Jarek Leonhardt, and Matt Outzen.
The Land Use Council #1 Envirothon is an annual Natural Resources Education program that is planned, organized, and promoted by local Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD’s.) The event is for high school students and emphasizes hands-on and team oriented problem-solving skills. Teams tested their knowledge in forestry, soils, aquatics, wildlife, and the 2018 current issue “Western Rangeland Management: Balancing Diverse Views.” Each of the five members from the first place team is eligible to receive a $500 scholarship upon completion of their first semester of post-secondary education.
The Fulton High School team was guided by advisor Stacy Gates. The Fulton team’s win will take them downstate to the Illinois State Competition, Thursday, May 3, and Friday, May 4, at Allerton Park near Monticello, IL.
Sterling Newman Team #1 took second place, and Sterling Newman Team #2 took third place in the competition. Eastland High School, having all FFA team members, will be going to the State competition for one day as the FFA representatives from Land Use Council #1.
Congratulations to the winning teams, and good luck to Fulton #1 at the State competition.
We would also like to say thank you to all of the generous sponsors. Without them, we would not be able to give the students the chance to participate in such a great event. The donations are all greatly appreciated. The event sponsors include (by County):
- Carroll County – Jo-Carroll Energy
- JoDaviess County – Illinois Bank and Trust
- Stephenson County – Stephenson Co. Farm Bureau, Pearl City Elevator, and Stephenson Service Company
- Whiteside County – Pheasants Forever Chapter #811, Wahl Clipper Corporation, and Whiteside County Natural Area Guardians.
The scholarship sponsors include Whiteside County, American Piping Group and NWTF Big Bend Long Beards. Northwest IL Blackhawk Hills Regional Council donated to the scholarships as well. Donations were also given by Casey’s for prizes for the top three winning teams and the top FFA team.
Program content for all of the local and State competitions is directed by North American Envirothon, established to coordinate the delivery of an Environmental Education program for high school students throughout North America.