Columbia, SC--Nearly two hundred high school students from across the state descended upon the Sandhill Research and Education Center in Columbia on Friday, May 1st, to compete in the 19th Annual SC Envirothon.  Richland County was represented by a team from Dreher High School, coached by Nationally Board Certified science teacher Judi Ray and sponsored by the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD). 

An environmental science competition that tests students' knowledge of natural resources in five subject areas (wildlife, forestry, soils, aquatics, and this year's current topic of urban forestry), the Envirothon provides a gateway for students to learn about careers in conservation and resources management. Regional competitions are held in most US states and Canadian provinces, and winning teams receive scholarships and progress to the North American competition which is held in a different location each year. 

In the nineteen years since the Envirothon was established in SC, more than $85,000 has been awarded to students pursuing college education.  This year, the team from Spartanburg Day School took top honors, with Dorman High School and Spartanburg High School ranking in second and third place, respectively. 

The SC Envirothon is coordinated by the SC Department of Natural Resources in cooperation with the SC Forestry Commission, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Central Carolina Technical College, Francis Marion University, Florence County Environmental Discovery Center, SC Soil and Water Conservation Society, and Clemson University.  Major financial sponsors include the SC Conservation Districts  Foundation, Harry Hampton Memorial Wildlife Fund, SC Association of Conservation Districts, Richland SWCD, SC Forestry Foundation, and the Lowcountry RC&D.  The North American Envirothon is sponsored by the National Conservation Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity.  To learn more about the program, visit the SC Envirothon website at www.dnr.sc.gov/education/Envirothon, or contact (803) 734-4602.  For information about sponsorship for an Envirothon team in Richland County, contact the Richland SWCD at soilandwater@rcgov.us or (803) 576-2080.

Conservation Districts are political subdivisions of state government under the local direction of five-member Boards of Commissioners. In South Carolina, Conservation District boundaries conform to County boundaries.  The Richland Soil and Water Conservation District promotes the wise use of natural resources for the benefit of the citizens of Richland County.

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