30-04-2025
High school students compete in 40th annual Envirothon at state park
CENTRE COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) – Several local students competed in the 40th annual Centre County Envirothon at Bald Eagle State Park.
Students from Bald Eagle Area High School, Bellefonte Area High School, Penns Valley High School, and St. Joseph's Catholic Academy participated for a spot in the state competition. The students got the chance to test their knowledge on several topics, which included soils and land use, forestry, wildlife, aquatics and a current issue, which this year was roots for resiliency.
Students had fun competing, and for Bellefonte Senior Taryn Wagner, this marks her last Envirothon being a senior. Originally, she joined for her interest in wildlife. She even does photography now as a hobby. However, for the future, she wants everyone to know and realize what is around them.
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'I think it's just good for people to be educated on their natural surroundings. I feel like some people don't necessarily go out and think about that kind of thing. They'll see a bird and they'll just think that's a bird without any care about what species it is or whether it's native or not,' Wagner said.
Centre County Conservation District Manager Jim Coslo said getting students involved is critical as many of them will be leading the industry in the future.
'Environmental issues are very important to our current society. And we think this gives, you know, the kids good exposure to that. It teaches them about these various topics, and it also exposes them to professionals in the environmental field,' Coslo said.
Coslo also took time to thank the many organizations for the assistance in making Envirothon possible, including The Centre County Conservation District, the US Department of Agriculture, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Forestry, PA Fish and Boat Commission, PA Game Commissioner, and Trout Unlimited.
Winners will advance beyond the district level to compete against other schools from across the Commonwealth.
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