On April 21, Northampton County Conservation District held its annual Envirothon competition. This year’s event was held live and outdoors at Louise Moore County Park, 151 Country Club Road, Easton.

COVID-19 affected the 2020 event, causing it to be canceled, and 2021 was a hybrid/online event.

Each team was given materials and objectives to study in advance. The teams are tested in five areas at the competition: wildlife, forestry, soils and land use, aquatic ecology and a current environmental issue. This year’s topic was waste to resources.

Incorporating STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) principles, experiential learning, critical thinking and hands-on outdoor field experiences, the Envirothon fosters student learning in each area, as well as the spirit of competition, sportsmanship and leadership.

Competing in the 2022 event were teams from Northampton Area High School, Freedom High School, Saucon Valley High School, Bangor High School, Nazareth Area High School and Pen Argyl High School. Each team consisted of no more than five students and an adviser.

Northampton, Freedom, Bangor and Nazareth each had two teams, and Saucon Valley and Pen Argyl presented with one team each.

NAHS’ team No. 1 received the Robert H. Jones Memorial Soil and Land Use Award. Jones was instrumental in establishing Northampton County Conservation District in 1961. The school that receives the highest score in the soil area is honored with this award.

In the overall competition, BHS’ maroon team placed first, FHS’ black team placed second and BHS’ white team placed third.