Environment based competition brings opportunities for students
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Dozens of students gathered at Chester Frost Park to compete in a competition based around the environment.
The Envirothon is a national competition for high school students.
Bill Dailey is a retired soil conservationist and involved with the competition.
He said, “It’s an opportunity to get these kids out to learn more about soils, forestry, wildlife, aquatics, and this year the unknown is non soil pollution.”
These competitions happen all over the country, each crowning a winner to move on to the next level.
Dailey said, “They take a test, then are graded and scored. The winner can go on to the state contest. Then the winner of the state contest goes on to a national contest, which is usually out of the country.”
Not only does the event come with competition it also exposes students to a new world.
“Young people are more aware of their surroundings. There are also jobs available. I retired with the federal government department of agriculture, soil conservation service, and the TWRA is here. They become aware that there are opportunities out here in those fields,” said Dailey.
Plus it teaches real skills that are helpful throughout life.
Dailey said, “Like the soil pit, when you are going to look for a house. Where are you on the landscape? Are you in a flood plane? If you are out in the country and there is no sewage treatment, is it going to work for a septic tank fill line? It is a good general all around contest to up their awareness on it.”
Even if these students don’t come away with a state champion title, they leave with knowledge that could change their life.
“I had a secretary once who did not know about the national resource conservation service which used to be the soil conservation service. She said if I would have known about that in high school I would’ve probably changed my education direction to work with this agency. We are trying to spread the word and educate the young people that there are great jobs out here,” said Dailey.
The state competition will be May 5th and 6th.
