Young Minds Outdoors

The first thing you notice about the North Dakota Environthon competition in early May is the cruddy weather.

With her coat zipped nearly to her chin and her back to the wind, Diane Olson, Envirothon founder and longtime coordinator, said the number of nice, sunny days that have graced the event in 17 years can be counted on one hand, with some fingers remaining.

"It's Envirothon time, so we expect this type of weather," Olson said. "At least it's not raining or snowing."

The other thing you notice is that the Envirothon participants – 100-plus high school students on 23 teams from 17 schools – are so dialed in to the competition, the weather isn't a factor.

"We've worked hard to get ready for this," said Colten Ford, Montpelier High School senior. "We all kind of have subjects that we are good at. We're all kind of interested in different things."

According to the North Dakota Envirothon website, here's the skinny on the event that has been held for years at the Crystal Springs Camp near Medina.

The Envirothon is a problem-solving natural resource competition for high school students. On day one, teams walking designated outdoor trails with specific stops, are tested on their knowledge of soils, wildlife, aquatics and prairie. The competition ends with oral presentations.

"We've really tried to stress to the kids the importance of the oral presentations," Olson said. "They need to understand the importance of being prepared and thinking on their feet."

Marty Egeland, North Dakota Game and Fish Department outreach biologist in Grand Forks, has worked the competition since its inception.

"I got involved when the Department got involved in the early 2000s," Egeland said. "Honestly, I've stuck with the Envirothon all these years because I see the merit in the program."

He said the Envirothon provides a unique avenue for kids looking to excel at something that isn't a sport.

"It gives those kids with an environmental leaning some exposure to North Dakota natural resources," Egeland said. "Who knows, but maybe we're working with some of tomorrow's conservation leaders."

Olson said that more than 50 former competitors have gone on into natural resources careers.

"It was a goal from the start to use Envirothon to inspire young people and nudge them in the direction of natural resources fields in North Dakota," Olson said. "If we don't have sound people in the natural resources fields teaching wise use of our resources, then we're in trouble."

Beth Burdolski, U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service soil scientist in Jamestown, is a good example of a former competitor who followed a career path in natural resources.

Burdolski competed for Bismarck High School's Envirothon teams from 2009-11, and this year was a volunteer trail guide at Crystal Springs.

"The Envirothon was a huge influence in determining what I chose to study in college," she said. "Back in high school when we were studying for the competition, Kristin Brennan (NRCS soil scientist in Bismarck) came in to teach us about the basics of soil, and it opened my eyes to a new discipline. Plus, she was just so enthusiastic about her job, and that was inspiring."

Tanner Gue, biologist with Ducks Unlimited in Bismarck and volunteer trail guide at the event, said this was his first Envirothon, and he was impressed.

"Anytime you can foster curiosity and genuine interest in conservation in young minds is a great thing," he said. "I benefitted by simply interacting with what I hope is the next generation of conservationists."

Olson has coordinated North Dakota Envirothon every year. She started the program with the hope it could help reconnect some of the state's youth to the land.

"I definitely think our young people have lost the connection to North Dakota's natural resources," Olson said. "Too many of them have no idea how to use our natural resources wisely. Hopefully, we've helped changed that a little."

Envirothon 2016 Results

Midkota High School, coached by Gilbert Black, won the 17th annual North Dakota Envirothon competition in May. Team members are Joseph Vollmer, Jesse Gilbertson, Carson Quam, Victoria Vollmer and McKenna Frappier.

The Midkota team will represent North Dakota at the National Conservation Foundation Envirothon competition in Peterborough, Ontario in July.

Second place went to Minot High School, coached by Joe Super and David Norton. Team members are Zach Krill, Kelsey Krill, Julia Beck, Patrick Richardson and Elizabeth Rohrer.

Third went to Bismarck High School, coached by Valarie Smallbeck. Team members are Sam Wolf, Shayla Heger, Hope Burdolski, Sarah Vadnais and Tanner Jochim.

Envirothon Message

The Envirothon is a problem-solving natural resource competition for high school students. Teams consisting of five members in grades 9-12, from a school, organization or club, study in the areas of prairie (forestry), soil, water, wildlife and a current environmental issue.

Team members demonstrate proven concepts of hands-on education, combined with the excitement of effective educational tools, which help schools nurture environmentally aware students and meet the immediate need to teach more environmental natural resource education.