The 2025 Garrett County Envirothon took place recently at the Hickory Environmental Education Center. Student teams from Northern and Southern Garrett High Schools faced off in a full day of outdoor conservation challenges. This annual hands-on competition tests students’ knowledge and problem-solving skills in five environmental categories: wildlife, aquatics, forestry, soils, and a rotating current issue.
Envirothon is more than a one-day event. Students prepare throughout the school year by attending fall and spring training sessions at Hickory and working closely with their coaches. The goal of the program is to deepen students’ understanding of environmental systems, raise awareness of current issues, and introduce them to careers and organizations that support resource conservation.
This year’s competition was made possible through the support of dedicated volunteers and natural resource professionals who mentored students and served as trainers and judges. Contributing agencies included the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (Park Service, Forestry, and Wildlife Divisions), Garrett County Forestry Board, Garrett Soil Conservation District, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and University of Maryland Extension.
Coaching the teams were Carrie Glass (Northern High) and Erin Coffman (Southern High). Additional support was provided by Sharon Hoover, Randy Sharpless, Rebecca Kenyon-Sisler, and Jason Shank of the Hickory Environmental Education Center.
Student Participants:
- Northern Garrett High School: Abbigail Baker, Eoin Matteo Elica, Jacquelyn Patton, Eden Rankin, Jacob Vose
- Southern Garrett High School: Lani Daugherty, Arden Gaujot, Rylee Iden, Meredith Murphy, Ayla Rodeheaver
Category Winners:
- Aquatics – Southern High School
- Forestry – Southern High School
- Soils – Southern High School
- Wildlife – Southern High School
- Environmental Issue (Fostering Forest Stewardship in a Canopy of Change) – Northern High School
Southern High School earned the highest overall score and will represent Garrett County at the Maryland State Envirothon, which will be held June 11–12 at the Western Maryland 4-H Center in Swanton.
Envirothon began in Pennsylvania in 1979 and expanded nationally in 1988. It remains one of North America's premier environmental education competitions for high school students. Garrett County Public School students in grades 9–12 are eligible to participate.
For more information about the Garrett County Envirothon, please contact Rebecca Kenyon-Sisler at rebecca.kenyon@gcps.net.
