Southmoreland senior Alexis Piovesan wrapped special tape around a large tree at Twin Lakes Park on Thursday — a yellow tape that measures diameter rather than circumference.
“I’ve also learned to use a Biltmore stick to measure the lumber in a tree. I’ve identified different species of plants,” Piovesan said of her experience at the Westmoreland Envirothon. She said the knowledge might help her fulfill her dream of becoming a Pennsylvania game warden.
Learning about forestry was one of many exercises that Piovesan and about 80 other students from nine Westmoreland County high schools were immersed in during the competition at the park east of Greensburg.
“I think the Envirothon is important. It’s getting the kids to learn what is in their own backyard,” said Chad Clair, Burrell High School’s Envirothon adviser and a biology and environmental field studies teacher.
Clair’s Burrell Team 1 won the Westmoreland Envirothon on Thursday and will represent the county in the Pennsylvania Envirothon on May 20 at Camp Mount Luther near Mifflinburg. The oral component will occur virtually May 14-15.
Norwin Team 1 took second place, and Southmoreland Team 1 captured third.
“We study everything,” Clair said of the preparation. “They get to learn so much.”
Students were challenged at stations focused on forestry, soil surveys, aquatic life and wildlife tracking. They also were tested on a current environmental issue: nonpoint source pollution.
While the top three teams were recognized as winners, Jen Novak, the Westmoreland Conservation District education coordinator and county Envirothon coordinator, said all participating teams were winners.
“They got to get out in nature,” Novak said.
Joyce Muchoney, Norwin’s adviser and a teacher of biology and Advanced Placement environmental science, said the program fosters a love of nature.
“It makes the students aware of the good career opportunities in the environmental sciences,” Muchoney said.
Students from Kiski Area, Franklin Regional, Derry Area, Greater Latrobe, Jeannette, and Yough also participated.
“We got to learn about wildlife and all about the different classifications of animals,” said Tyler Kristoff, a ninth grade Jeannette student.
To Jamie Rininger, a Jeannette middle and high school social studies teacher, the event gave students who live in a city environment the opportunity to interact with nature.
“We’re getting them out of the city and into nature,” Rininger said.
