Students from MMI Prep's Team A with Luzerne County Envirothon Coordinator Aaron Stredny (far right)

For the third year in a row, a team of students from MMI Preparatory School in Freeland took first place at the Luzerne County Envirothon.  The 33rd annual Luzerne County Envirothon took place on May 2, 2012 at the PPL’s Susquehanna Riverlands in Berwick. One hundred eighty one (181) students representing 36 teams from 9 different schools competed in the event with MMI Preparatory School’s Team-A achieving the overall highest score for the third year in a row. The MMI Preparatory team will go on to compete at the PA State Envirothon at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, Cambria County on May 22-23, 2012. The following schools placed 2nd and 3rd respectively: Crestwood HS –Team B and Wyoming Valley West –Team B.
The Envirothon is an environmental competition for students in grades 9-12 which tests their knowledge of Soils and Land Use, Aquatics, Forestry, Wildlife, and a Current Issue. The current issue topic this year was “Non Point Source Pollution and Low Impact Development”. Each station is facilitated by a different agency: Luzerne Conservation District, USDA NRCS, PA Fish & Boat Commission, DCNR Bureau of Forestry, and PA Game Commission. The Luzerne Conservation District coordinates the competition and encourages every school in the county to participate. This year the following schools put their skills to the test: James M. Coughlin JSHS, Crestwood HS, GAR JSHS, Greater Nanticoke Area HS, Hanover Area JSHS, Elmer L. Meyers JSHS, MMI Preparatory School, Northwest Area HS, and Wyoming Valley West HS. Staff members from the Department of Environmental Protection in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne Conservation District, and USDA NRCS volunteered at the Envirothon by monitoring teams and testing stations, assisting with the scoring, and handing out refreshments. PPL was very generous in allowing the use of their well-maintained and spacious grounds for the event. PPL, as well as The Lands at Hillside Farms, Herr’s Foods Inc., and Dominos Pizza in Berwick; provided donations for lunch and refreshments for the students, teachers, and volunteers.

Click here for team scores.

PDA Sec. George Greig (l) and LCD Manager Josh Longmore (r)

The State Conservation Commission (SCC) presented a Leadership Excellence Award to the Luzerne Conservation District during the joint annual conference of the SCC and the PA Association of Conservation Districts in July.  During the awards ceremony, SCC Executive Secretary Karl Brown said the district “has shown a strong committment to pursuing excellence over the past decade…the board and staff work diligently to follow the strategic plan with a strong moral and ethical stance, making fiscal accountability and public transparency their highest priorities.”  The district was represented by board member Carl Urbanski, associate board member Jack Hanish, and District Manager Josh Longmore.  PA Department of Agriculture Secretary George Greig presented the award on behalf of the SCC.