Hidden Pond Envirothon Team Places Second Statewide

The  placed second overall at the Virginia State Envirothon Competition May 20-21. The team qualified for the competition by placing first at both Fairfax County and Area II regional competitions.

The top 15 Envirothon teams in Virginia competed against each other at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va. This year’s oral presentation topic was 'Low Impact Development and Nonpoint Source Pollution'.

Started in 1979 by three Pennsylvania soil and water conservation districts, Envirothon teaches concepts in environmental management and stewardship to young people. Participants solve real and hypothetical problems while working alongside professionals within their communities.

Participation in Envirothon encourages team-building, critical thinking, decision making, problem solving, and communication skills. Hidden Pond team members utilize these life skills as volunteer interpreters at the nature center where they have access to 700 forested acres of parkland.

Manager Jim Pomeroy and Assistant Manager Mike McCaffrey have led the Hidden Pond Envirothon team for many years. Hidden Pond is typically the only team at state not sponsored by a high school.