MASSACHUSETTS
ENVIR THON
319 LITTLETON ROAD | SUITE 205 | WESTFORD, MA 01886
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Diane Baedeker Petit
413-253-4371
diane.petit@ma.usda.gov
High school students from across the Bay State compete at
19th annual Massachusetts Envirothon
(May 11, 2006) UXBRIDGE, Mass. -- Nearly 300 Bay State high school students from 40 public and
private schools across the commonwealth, along with nearly 200 coaches, judges and volunteers, converged
on the Blackstone River Canal and Heritage State Park in Uxbridge today for the 19th annual
Massachusetts Envirothon, a statewide competition that tests students’ knowledge of aquatics, forestry,
soils, wildlife, and environmental issues.
At the event, teams of five students rotate through four stations where they demonstrate their
environmental knowledge through hands-on activities. Each team also gives a presentation on their
research into a designated current environmental issue. This year’s current issue is “Acting Locally for
Climate Protection.”
This year’s winners were:
Overall Score
1st Place 4-H Bristol County Envirothon Team, Berkley
2nd Place Lexington High School
3rd Place Acton-Boxborough Regional High School
Acting Locally for Climate Protection Presentation
1st Place 4-H Bristol County Envirothon Team
2nd Place Quabbin Regional High School, Barre
3rd Place Lexington High School
4th Place (tie) Lawrence Academy, Groton
Leicester High School
5th Place (tie) Acton-Boxborough Regional High School
Uxbridge High School
Forested Grove Ecostation
1st Place Lexington High School
2nd Place 4-H Bristol County Envirothon Team, Berkley
3rd Place Essex Agricultural & Technical High, Danvers
4th Place Lawrence Academy, Groton
5th Place Pioneer Valley Regional School, Northfield
-- MORE --
2006 MASSACHUSETTS ENVIROTHON/ p. 2
Grass Roots Ecostation
1st Place 4-H Bristol County Envirothon Team, Berkley
2nd Place Acton-Boxborough Regional High School
3rd Place (tie) Northampton High School
Bedford High School
Massachusetts Academy of Math & Science, Worcester
4th Place Lexington High School
5th Place Lawrence Academy, Groton
Pond/Shore Ecostation
1st Place (tie) Tantasqua Regional Senior High School, Fiskdale
Acton-Boxborough Regional High School
2nd Place (tie) Lexington High School
Somerset High School Envirothon Team
3rd Place Essex Agricultural & Technical High, Danvers
4th Place Quabbin Regional High School, Barre
5th Place Northbridge High School
Riverbend Ecostation
1st Place 4-H Bristol County Envirothon Team, Berkley
2nd Place (tie) Lexington High School
Chelmsford High School
Uxbridge High School
Lawrence Academy, Groton
3rd Place (tie) Essex Agricultural & Technical High, Danvers
Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School
4th Place Quabbin Regional High School, Barre
5th Place North Quincy High School
Rookie of the Year
Tantasqua Regional Senior High School
Teams prepare for the Envirothon throughout the year through classroom curricula and
workshops. Each year teams focus on a different current issue that they research in their own community
prior to the competition. Many teams also compete for Community Research and Community Service
awards as well.
“I am encouraged by the interest in the environment these students have displayed. Educating our
youth on the importance of our natural resources is critical for the future,” said Massachusetts Secretary of
Environmental Affairs Stephen Pritchard.
“It’s a great experience for students to represent their school or organization in a statewide
competition testing their knowledge of aquatics, forestry, soils, wildlife, and current environmental issues,”
said Mass. Envirothon Committee Chair Clif Read of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and
Recreation.
“The Envirothon is America's leading natural resource education program for high school
students,” said Cecil B. Currin, Massachusetts State Conservationist for the USDA Natural Resources
Conservation Service, whose agency is one of 15 federal and state environmental agencies, conservation
2006 MASSACHUSETTS ENVIROTHON/ p. 3
districts, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and businesses involved in organizing the
event.
Judges for the competition include more than 60 environmental professionals from government
agencies, non-profit organizations, and private industry. Sponsors include the Massachusetts
Environmental Trust and National Grid.
The Envirothon program originated in 1979 in Pennsylvania as the Environmental Olympics. In
1988 the name was changed to the Envirothon and the program was expanded to a national program.
Massachusetts held its first competitive event in May 1988 with five teams participating.
Today’s overall winning team will have the opportunity to represent Massachusetts at the North
American competition, the 2006 Canon Envirothon to be held in Manitoba, Canada in July.
For more information on how to get involved with the Massachusetts Envirothon, call 978-692-
1904, or visit www.maenvirothon.org.
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