LINCOLN, Nebraska – Between Feb. 5 and March 10, Nebraska high school students competed around the state at regional Envirothon competitions demonstrating natural resources knowledge by measuring trees, identifying animal pelts and plotting maps.

The winning teams from each regional Envirothon competition as well as eight wildcards – selected based on their competition scores – qualify to compete at state. This year’s state qualifiers include:

Generally, Nebraska’s six regional Envirothon competitions are hosted in conjunction with district agriculture education contests. High school students compete on five-member teams in seven environmental areas including: soils, aquatics, forestry, wildlife, range, policy and a current environmental issue.

The qualifying team will compete at the Nebraska Envirothon hosted at Lake Wanahoo near Wahoo, Nebraska, April 29. During the state competition, teams compete in hands-on environmental testing stations as well as prepare and deliver an oral problem-solving presentation focusing on “Water Resources Management: Local Control, Local Solutions.”

The Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD) Foundation awards cash prizes to the top three winning teams at the state competition:

• First Place: $1,500
• Second Place: $1,000
• Third Place: $500

The Nebraska Envirothon Steering Committee recognizes the extenuating circumstances due to COVID-19, and will follow guidance from federal, state and local officials regarding the virus and whether a postponement or alternative of the State Envirothon will be necessary.

Learn more about the Nebraska Envirothon at www.nrdnet.org/nebraska-envirothon.