Nebraska high school students competed around the state Feb. 3-5 during a virtual regional Envirothon competition, demonstrating natural resources knowledge by identifying trees, labeling fish anatomy and determining soil structure.

The winning teams from each Envirothon region as well as eight wild cards — selected based on their competition scores — qualify to compete at the state contest. See the table for this year’s state qualifiers.

Traditionally, Nebraska’s six regional Envirothon competitions are hosted in conjunction with district agriculture education contests. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the contest went virtual with teams taking online, timed tests.

High school students compete on five-member teams in seven environmental areas, including soils, aquatics, forestry, wildlife, range, policy and a current environmental issue.

Qualifying teams will compete at the Nebraska Envirothon, which is scheduled for April 28 at Lake Wanahoo near Wahoo, Neb. 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 Foundation awards cash prizes to the top three teams in the state competition, with first place receiving $1,500; second place receiving $1,000; and third place receiving $500.

The Nebraska Envirothon Steering Committee recognizes the extenuating circumstances due to the pandemic, and will follow guidance from federal, state and local officials regarding the virus and whether a virtual alternative of the state competition will be necessary. Learn more online at nrdnet.org/Nebraska-envirothon.

Sources: NARD, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.