Winners of 2017 Hudson Valley Envirothon Competition Announced

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Students from Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess counties recently demonstrated their commitment to saving the environment by participating in the 2017 Hudson Valley Envirothon science competition. Fox Lane High School has been named the first place winner for Westchester County and Mahopac High School placed first in the Putnam County competition. The winners were announced by State Sen. Terrence Murphy (R-40).

"Our students are dedicated to helping solve the pressing issues affecting our environment. Winning the Hudson Valley competition is a major accomplishment for our students, who are members of our advanced placement environmental science course," said Dr. Joel Adelberg, Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction for Fox Lane High School. "This is the first time we were in the competition and we won it right out of the gate. The students worked hard and deserve to be congratulated for this accomplishment."

Fox Lane and Mahopac high school teams now qualify for the 28th annual New York State Envirothon science competition.

"The environment club did an incredible job implementing their research projects," said Troy Bilyeu, Assistant Principal for Mahopac High School. "This is second straight year they won the County competition. Our environmental studies teacher, Robert D'Alessandro, is a great motivator and teacher. He cultivated the student's interest in the well-being of our environment, which has culminated in this high honor."

Teams of students at 214 schools in 56 counties competed for a chance to move up. Winning teams from regional and county Envirothon competitions advance to the state and then to the national Envirothon, earning awards and scholarships at each level. The teams are made up of five students from 9th to 12th grades.

Envirothon challenges students on their knowledge of natural resource science, public speaking, and civic engagement. The state competition will take place at Hobart and William Smith Colleges on May 24- 25.

"I am proud that we have so many students in the 40th Senate District who are concerned with the health of our environment and protecting our natural resources," Murphy said in his announcement. "Congratulations to the winning teams from Fox Lane and Mahopac High Schools. I look forward to seeing them advance to the national competition this summer."

Sponsored by New York State's Soil and Water Conservation Districts, the Envirothon Competition tests students' knowledge and understanding of natural resource and environmental issues within New York State. Students compete in a series of hands-on, field station tests in the areas of soil/land use, aquatic ecology, forestry, wildlife, and an emerging environmental issue. The 2017 environmental issue focuses on agricultural soil and water conservation stewardship.

Many federal and state environmental agencies, soil and water conservation districts, and higher education institutions provide expertise and help organize the event.

The 2017 New York State Envirothon is made possible through the contributions of several sponsors and partnering agencies, including the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets and the NYS Soil and Water Conservation Committee. The Department's Land and Water Division works to protect New York's land and water resources through farmland protection, farmland conservation and proactive environmental stewardship.

The New York State Envirothon is coordinated by the New York State Envirothon Committee consisting of members of the NYS Conservation District Employees' Association, NYS Soil and Water Conservation Committee, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, and USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service. The program services hundreds of high school students throughout New York State and the five city boroughs.

The program is funded from contributions and grants from individuals, businesses and organizations. Contributions are tax deductible through the NYS Environmental Education Foundation and 100% of all contributions go towards the program. For additional information and sponsorship, opportunities visit www.nysenvirothon.net.