PORTLAND, Ore. – The 2023 Oregon Envirothon returned to a fully in-person event on May 5 at The Oregon Garden in Silverton, following two years of virtual competitions and a hybrid approach last year. More than 90 high school students, representing a dozen schools from across the state, participated in the annual environmental sciences competition, which is hosted each year by the Oregon Forest Resources Institute (OFRI).
Small teams of students completed a series of tests to demonstrate their skills in various natural resource disciplines, including aquatic, forest and wildlife ecology, and soils and land use. Students also gave oral presentations and were tested on their knowledge of this year’s current issue, “Adapting to a Changing Climate,” which focused on the factors contributing to climate change, the effects of those changes on the environment and natural resources, and ways to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change.
A team of students calling themselves “The Rogue Pack Alpha” from Logos Public Charter School in Medford received the highest score, making them the outright winner of the 2023 Oregon Envirothon and earning them a spot at this year’s national Envirothon competition, planned for July 23-29 in New Brunswick, Canada.
In addition to an overall winner, teams were recognized by the Oregon Future Natural Resource Leaders (FNRL) and the Oregon FFA, and with Career Development Event (CDE) awards. The “Practical Platypi” from Churchill High School in Eugene were selected for the FNRL-Oregon Envirothon CDE award. Sutherlin High School’s “Sutherlin FFA 1” team received the Oregon FFA Environmental and Natural Resources CDE award.
The top two teams in the competition’s oral presentation category also gave their “Adapting to a Changing Climate” presentations in front of a panel of expert judges on May 5. The judges selected The Rogue Pack Alpha from Logos Public Charter School as the oral presentation winner.
OFRI is the sole sponsor and main organizer of Oregon Envirothon, in collaboration with a number of partners in natural resources and agricultural education. These include AgWest Farm Credit, AmeriCorps, Bureau of Land Management, City of Salem, Future Natural Resource Leaders, Jackson Soil and Water Conservation District, Marion Soil and Water Conservation District, National Wildlife Federation, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Oregon FFA, Oregon Garden Foundation, Oregon State University Extension Service, and Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District.
The complete list of winners includes:
Overall:
• First Place: “The Rogue Pack Alpha” from Logos Public Charter School
• Second Place: “The Rogue Pack Beta” from Logos Public Charter School
• Third Place: “Practical Platypi” from Churchill High School
• Fourth Place: “Crater Team A: Tardigrades” from Crater Renaissance Academy
• Fifth Place: “Sutherlin FFA 1” from Sutherlin High School
Station Winners:
• Aquatic Ecology: “The Rogue Pack Alpha” from Logos Public Charter School
• Soils and Land Use: “The Rogue Pack Alpha” from Logos Public Charter School
• Forest Ecology: “The Rogue Pack Alpha” from Logos Public Charter School
• Current Issue: “The Rogue Pack Alpha” from Logos Public Charter School
• Oral Presentation: “The Rogue Pack Alpha” from Logos Public Charter School
• Wildlife Ecology: “Sutherlin FFA 1” from Sutherlin High School
The Future Natural Resources Leaders Career Development Event Awards:
• First Place: “Practical Platypi” from Churchill High School
• Second Place: “Crater Team A: Tardigrades” from Crater Renaissance Academy
The FFA awards for Environmental Sciences Career Development Event:
• First Place: “Sutherlin FFA 1” from Sutherlin High School
• Second Place: “Team Vicariously” from Sabin-Schellenberg Professional Center
• Third Place: “Brookings-Harbor FFA” from Brookings Harbor Christian School
• Fourth Place: “Mohawk FFA” from Mohawk High School
About the Oregon Forest Resources Institute:
The Oregon Legislature created the Oregon Forest Resources Institute (OFRI) in 1991 to support and enhance Oregon’s forest products industry by advancing public understanding of forests, forest management and forest products, and encouraging sustainable forestry through landowner education. OFRI is governed by a board of directors made up of 11 voting members appointed by the state forester, plus two non-voting members. It is funded by a portion of the forest products harvest tax.
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