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South Huron's Envirothon team consisting of Merissa Thompson, Courtney Hurdka, Cheryl Davey, and Brittany Pilgrim and Jessie Oke brought home first place at the Huron Perth Regional Competition and then traveled to Sudbury May 10-14 for the Ontario Provincial Envirothon. They were recognized as "Rookie Champions", the highest placed team that had not competed at the Provincial level before. Students wrote five tests each of which was 45 minutes long and based on the skills and knowledge associated with forestry, wildlife, soils, aquatics, and climate change. Competitors were also given the challenge of developing an environmental action plan for the Municipality of Sudbury to mediate the effects of climate change on the region. Students were expected to address the impacts on forestry, water quality, wildlife habitats and the continued rehabilitation of the Sudbury area. Teams were given four hours to plan and then present to a panel of distinguished judges representing the host of the Envirothon including the Ontario Forestry Association, Science North, Laurentian University and Maple Leaves Forever. The competition was intense and the caliber of the competitors was remarkable. The students competing at this competition will truly be the environmental leaders of tomorrow.

The Provincial Envirothon was more than a competition, it was an outstanding environmental conference. The theme of this year's Provincial Envirothon was "Sudbury - Moon Scape to Green Space." As many of you know Sudbury, a town built on mining, faced environmental devastation in the wake of refining practices prior to 1970. The acid rain and heavy metal deposition led to the annihilation of all vegetation, contamination of soil, erosion, acidification of lakes and loss of fish stocks in a 17,000 hectare region surrounding Sudbury. Today due to an intense 'regreening' effort which focuses on liming soils and water bodies and planting grasses and trees, Sudbury is well on its way to recovering. Students attended lectures presented by research scientists, climatologists and forest managers on the issues Sudbury faces. Students attended workshops on soil remediation, Elk reintroduction, fish stocking, and forest management practices of Domtar in Espanola. Students participated in Legacy projects such as planting cedar trees to support the Elk reintroduction and planting 2000 red maple trees seedlings donated by the major sponsor Maple Leaves Forever. Significant time was spent working with scientists from Science North and experiencing the exhibits at Science North. Students also had the opportunity to attend Dynamic Earth and learn about the mining industry in Sudbury. Teachers had the opportunity to tour the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory - an internationally renowned physics research facility. The Provincial Envirothon was mind expanding and one of those experiences students will remember forever!

Being part of both the regional and provincial events has really brought to light what amazing educational opportunities can be created by the collaboration between environmental interest groups, industry and schools. In our area the Huron Perth Stewardship Council represented by Steve Bowers made this opportunity possible. He organized two preparation days for the regional competition in which workshops were put on by individuals from the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority, Maitland Valley Conservation Authority and Hullett Wildlife Area. The H-P Stewardship Council also fully funded the transportation expenses of the team on their journey to Sudbury. This experience has affirmed how essential environmental education is and how the passion of individuals and organizations can make it happen.

Students in the Envirothon teams ran several energy conservation campaigns at SHDHS. We posted stickers in every classroom to remind students to "power off" when lights and computers are not in use For the month of March students ran a pay it forward campaign. The ministry of the environment gave each of the high schools in H-P $250 to promote energy conservation. We purchased 138 compact florescent lightbulb and gave them away to students who 1. brought in old incandescent lightbulb to exchange and 2. pledged to help 2 other people conserve energy. In celebration of earth day we participated in "Huron Schools Dim the Lights" For 1 hour we shut off every non essential light in the school in order to raise awareness.

Students participating in this year's Envirothon Program attended several work shops where they learned about environmental issues. Evert Scapp did a seminar for Envirothon teams and other students at SHDHS. Presenting the idea that individual home owner have the ability to become self sufficient using renewable energy with their energy needs. Students attended a workshop at CHSS on March 30 and heard guest speakers on alternative energy developments in Southern Ontario including: Doug Fyfe from the clean air alliance spoke about wind developments in the region. Harold House from OMAFRA spoke about the use of biogas produced from cow manure as an energy source. Students attended a workshop at Wawanosh Nature Center hosted by individuals from the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority, Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority, Hullett Wildlife Area, and Huron and Perth MNR Stewardship Councils on issues related to forestry, soils, wildlife and aquatics in our region.

At the Huron Perth regional competition was held April 26 at the Pinery Provincial Park. Students were evaluated on their knowledge of soils, forestry, aquatics, wildlife and alternative and renewable energy. They wrote 4 ecostation tests demonstrating knowledge and skills. Students were also asked to develop a plan for the municipality to meet it's energy needs in the future utilizing 3 alternative energy strategies. They were asked to consider economic, social and environmental issues and develop a realistic plan that would meet the interests of all stakeholders. Students were given 1 hour to brainstorm, and prepare their presentation and then deliver their ideas to a panel of judges.

21 teams from all across the province met for the Provincial Envirothon held in in Cornwall May 9-13 at St. Lawrence College. Jeff Hotson, Justine VanEsbroek, Justine Johnston, Mac Christie and Jerry Rundle represented South Huron and AMDSB well. At the Provincial competition students learned about environmental issues related to the St Lawrence region, including mercury and PCB pollution in aquatic Ecosystem, the legacy of the forestry industry in the region, aboriginal perspectives on ecosystems, and the future of sustainable energy generation in Ontario. Students participate in a legacy project to naturalize the shoreline of the St. Lawrence River planting trees and shrubs, erecting birdhouses and building butterfly gardens. Included in the trip was a visit the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa, a tour of Parliament, the Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary and a tour of Upper Canada Village. The Ontario Envirothon is a truly outstanding environmental conference for students that have demonstrated excellence and offers them an opportunity to build skills to become our environmental leaders of the future.

Students participating in this year's Envirothon Program attended several work shops where they learned about environmental issues. Students attended a rainy and cold workshop at Wawanosh Nature Center on Friday April 4 and learned about issues related to forestry, soils, wildlife and aquatics. On Tuesday April 15 students attended a workshop at CHSS on the management of Pinery Provincial Park and the effects of recreation on natural resources in this endangered ecosystem. Students also attended a workshop hosted by ABCA and sponsored by Grand Bend Rotary Club on Earth Day. Students learned about the history of the Ausable water shed and issues related to water quality and invasive species and helped clean up the old Ausable river channel.

At the Huron Perth regional competition was held April 29 at the Pinery Provincial Park. Students were evaluated on their knowledge of soils, forestry, aquatics, wildlife and the impacts of recreation on natural resources. Students were also asked to develop a plan for managing the habitat of the endangered Piping Plover within the park.

Five students from SHDHS including Christine O'Reilly, Katie Anderson, Melissa Melick, Danielle Ondreijka and Nick Daunt represented the Avon Maitland District School Board at the Provincial Envirothon Competition held at the Tim Hortons Children's Camp Onondaga Farms near Cambridge Ontario on May 7-10. At the provincial competition students attended workshops on forestry, soils, wildlife, aquatics, and the impacts of recreation on natural resources. They heard numerous speakers present on various environmental issues, contributed to a tall grass prairie rehabilitation legacy project and thoroughly enjoyed all camp activities put on the the Onondaga Camp Staff. During the competition students participated in 5 hours of testing on the the various topics of study and were given 4 hours to plan and create an oral presentation which they delivered to a panel of judges. The entire Provincial Envirothon experience was an incredible learning opportunity and to top it off SHDHS placed 4th out of the 23 teams from across the province. Special recognition goes to Nick Daunt who lead the team to a second place finish in the forestry section of the testing. We are extremely proud of the enthusiasm and efforts of these students who have truly demonstrated leadership and academic excellence.

Thanks again to the the Huron Perth MNR Stewardship Council, the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority, The Ausable Bayfeild Conservation Authority, the Friends of Hullett Wildlife area who organized, delivered and fully sponsored the Envirothon program again this year. The organizers of the Envirothon were just recognized by the A.M.D.S.B. at the excellence in education awards April 30 for providing environmental and outdoor education opportunities for the student in the A.M.D.S.B.

The theme of this years Envirothon was on learning to value the rich species diversity that we have in local ecological communities and what actions we can take to preserve this rich natural heritage. This year 2 teams took place in the Envirothon program. Students participated in a workshop on March 31 where wildlife biologist Graham Buck spoke on the topic of biodiversity in a changing world. On April 6 teams traveled to Wawanosh for workshops on forestry, soils, aquatics and wildlife delivered by representatives from the Huron Perth Stewardship Council, the Hullett wildlife area and local conservation authorities. The Huron Perth regional competition was held at the Pinery Provincial Park where team competed in a close race through ecostations and presentations. Our team placed 2nd edged out by a narrow margin of 0.6% by Stratford Central's Team. Good work to all that participated and thanks for another great season!

Students attended 2 workshops at the regional level. Tuesday March 29 they attended a workshop at CHSS on the special Topic for the year; Estuaries. They learned how estuaries are vital to the water quality and species diversity of the Great Lake and specifically looked at Human impacts in the Maitland River Estuary. Friday April 9 students attended workshops at Wawanosh Nature center about Forestry, Soils, Aquatics and Wildlife. The collaboration between individuals from the Ministry of Natural Resources, Maitland Valley Conservation Authority, Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority and Hullett Wildlife area staff made possible our preparation and success at both the regional and provincial competitions.

The Provincial Envirothon was held at Tim Horton's Onondaga Farms at St. George May 4-7. The opening ceremonies May 4th involved a very important message form the key note speaker Gord Miller, the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario. He presented a positive approach to dealing with the environmental issues we face. He stated that the key to success is to "RECOGNIZE the problem, ANALYZE the issues with solid scientific data, and ENGAGE actively in solutions" He gave multiple examples of how we have done just that in the past. We have met the challenges of major environmental problems in Ontario such as Acid Rain in the Sudbury area, Eutrophication of Lake Erie and other significant point source pollution issues and successfully implemented solutions to mediate these problems. He outlined that global problems we face today including the Biodiversity Crisis, Water quantity and quality issues, Climate Change and Peak Oil can be addressed with the same kind of approach. He cautions young people not to be discouraged when considering the major environmental problems we face today. We have the tools to solve problems and we must for the sustainability of society and the environment.

May 5th students participated at workshops in Hamilton Harbor learning about the issues surrounding the Estuary at Coote's Paradise and rehabilitation efforts of the Royal Botanical Gardens around the estuary. Students saw first hand the impact of invasive species such as Carp in the Estuary and Great lakes and got first hand experience with research being conducted at the fishway that monitors fish species coming in and out of the estuary. Students participated in a Legacy project at Princess Point involving removing terrestrial invasive species and planting tall grass prairie species as well as bushes and shrubs for wildlife habitat. The day ended with a trolley tour of Hamilton Harbor where students learned about the industrial and municipal issues surrounding the legacy of industrial pollution and current water quality issues, monitoring and mediation Hamilton Harbor.

on each of the topic areas including soils, forestry, aquatics, wildlife and estuaries. The test were done at field sites where both practical skills and academic knowledge were required. May 8^th students were given 4 hours to plan and prepare a presentation without any use of technology or resource material on the topic of developing an action plan to continue monitoring and rehabilitating the Coote’s Paradise estuary. Student’s delivered this presentation for a panel of judges.

The Provincial competitions also involved many fun elements hosted by the Tim Horton Camp Staff. Students got to meet 105 of the most motivated environmentally conscious students in the Province from 21 different regions. Student got to meet many mentors who have worked and or contributed to environmental education and conservation including research scientists, staff at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Hamilton, Duck Unlimited Representatives, individual from municipal and federal government, biologists, conversationalists and Gill Henderson the founder of the 900 ache Onondaga Farms Camp. Students also enjoyed games, entertainment, square dancing, drumming circles, high ropes and they shook their booties at the Envirodance.

A wonderful experience was capitalized with our Second Place Finish behind West Hills SS from Owensound, (a team that has had a long legacy of winning at the Provincial Level and competing strongly at the international level). SHDHS out competed 20 teams from across the province including the reining champions two years running, University of Toronto Schools who placed third this year. SHDHS competed strongly in all areas of the competition and had the top mark on the wildlife test.