Downingtown East High School (DEHS) dug deep into the soil pit to win the 2009 Chester County Envirothon - it was the soils station that earned the team enough points to capture the championship. In May, DEHS represented Chester County at the state competition held at Bald Eagle State Park, Centre County.
The Envirothon, coordinated by the Chester County Conservation District and Parks & Recreation Department, is a fun, academic event held over three days at Hibernia County Park. Thanks to community support, Chester County opens the event to 1st through 12th graders. Due to the generous sponsors listed below, we are one of only a few counties statewide that offers the Envirothon to all grade levels.
Downingtown East won the title by posting the highest overall total score without being the highest score in any of the five categories: Aquatics (Great Valley), Forestry (Conestoga), Soils (Unionville), Wildlife (Great Valley), and the 2009 Current Issue: Biodiversity in a Changing World (Downingtown West).
For the Middle School Level, it was another tight competition with Lionville Team A {logo} cumulating the top score; Great Valley Team A finished a close second. The Elementary Level provides a day of fun interaction and learning without the competition. Only top scores are recognized for each station. With an all-time high of 325 students, this was a record year for elementary level participation.
Overall, 490 students from 42 different schools tested their knowledge and awareness on environmental topics, and discovered Biodiversity in a Changing World. Parents and family members came out to watch their students participate and enjoy educational programs during the awards ceremonies.
From the teachers and parents who served as team coaches to professional scientists, conservationists, community business people and educators, who served as station judges, volunteers participated in record numbers. Bravo to them for sharing their time and expertise with the students.
If you would like to coach a team, enter a team, financially support the Envirothon, or volunteer, please contact Glenn Nelson, Envirothon Coordinator, at 610-344-6415 or
American Mushroom Institute’s Community Awareness Committee
Chester County Water Resources Authority
Dansko, Inc.
Stantec Consulting, Inc.
Friends: $1 - $499
Acme
Anonymous (1)
Cedar Knoll Builders
Croppers
D. L. Howell & Associates, Inc.
Edward B. Walsh & Associates, Inc.
Friends of Hibernia
Giant Food Stores
Herr’s
Howett’s Custom Screen Printing Inc
LTK Associates LP
Longwood Gardens
Marathon Engineering & Environmental Services, Inc.
Medveczky Associates LTD
Octoraro Native Plant Nursery
RAM-T Corporation
RETTEW
TD Bank
Taproot Native Design LLC
Wegmans
West Chester Fish, Game & Wildlife Association
Willowdale Town Center
