CHS Envirothon Team Scores Forestry Component Win at the 2011 Algoma Region Competition
By: Becky Hodgson, Education Coordinator – NSFC

On April 15th and 16th, the Chapleau High School (CHS) Envirothon Team participated in the 2011 Algoma Region Envirothon Competition at Kinsmen Park in Sault Ste. Marie.

The first day, was a day of review. The five teams (two from Superior Heights Collegiate & Vocational School, one from Korah Collegiate & Vocational School, one from Central Algoma Secondary School, and one from CHS) spent the day rotating through outdoor stations, and learning from resource personnel who are specialists in the four core subject areas: forestry, wildlife, aquatics and soils. Additionally, each team had a block of time to prepare for their oral presentations on this year’s current topic of “Salt and Freshwater Estuaries”.

Saturday, April 16th was competition day. Teams arrived bright and early for an 8:30 am start time. The format for the competition day was the same as the previous day, with teams rotated through each of the stations, completing a variety of activities and test questions.

It was noted that the day brought the worst weather conditions of any Algoma Envirothon competition to date, however, the teams’ spirits could not be dampened by the rain, freezing rain, sleet and snow. Armed with a combination of make-shift garbage bag rain suits, winter boots, rubber boots, toques and mitts, the teams headed outside to brave the elements in search of the highest honour: the top score and ultimately the Algoma Envirothon trophy.

Although the CHS team did not win the overall highest score for the competition (that honour went to a team from Superior Heights Collegiate & Vocational School), they did receive special recognition and a certificate for earning the highest score in the Forestry component of the competition! As the CHS Envirothon team formed less than two months ago, and this was the school’s first appearance at an Envirothon competition, this is an outstanding accomplishment.

A big congratulations goes out to the CHS Envirothon team. Good luck in next year’s competition!

The 2011 CHS Envirothon Team with their Forestry component highest score award: (back row) Mr. Mike Serre (teacher/coach), Tristan Larcher, (front row) Robin Raposo, Jessica Raposo, Sabrina Kanala, Kodiak Jolivet. (Missing: Meagan Jean and Mrs. Becky Hodgson (NSFC Education Coordinator/coach).

For more information about Envirothon, visit the official website http://www.ontarioenvirothon.on.ca/. Anyone from the Northeast Superior region who is interested in creating an Envirothon team for the 2011-2012 school year can contact:

Clara Lauziere
General Manager
Northeast Superior Forest Community
clara.lauziere@nsfc.ca
(705) 864.2031 x 224