Over the course of three days, student teams from across the state participated in both field-based testing and oral presentations tied to this year’s theme, "Roots and Resiliency: Fostering Forest Stewardship in a Canopy of Change." The five traditional ecostation subjects—soils and land use, aquatic ecology, forestry, wildlife, and the current issue—were each led by natural resource professionals who brought both expertise and enthusiasm to their roles. The high level of rigor, dedication, focus, and excitement led to an incredibly competitive field of students.  

One of the most impactful parts of the event was the station review session on the Friday evening, where students gathered to hear each of the station leads review the test questions, highlight important learning points, and explain areas where teams had performed well or struggled. I was impressed not only by the professionalism of the station leaders, but also by their clear commitment to helping students learn and grow through the competition. Additionally, the legacy of commitment from the station leads was really impressive, with most of them filling their roles for over a decade! 

Throughout the weekend, I was continually struck by the tight-knit and welcoming community that makes up the New Mexico Envirothon. The event leadership and volunteers go far beyond just logistics—they create an atmosphere where students and coaches feel seen, supported, and valued. There were multiple feedback sessions and meetings with team coaches and captains, which encouraged open dialogue about how to continue improving the program. I really admired how much time and intentional space was dedicated to listening to participants and mentors alike. 

Another highlight of this year’s competition was the inaugural New Mexico Envirothon Hall of Fame, which honored four individuals whose lasting contributions have helped shape the program’s success: 

• Peter Vigil, President and co-founder of NM Envirothon and long-serving District Manager at Taos SWCD, celebrated for his leadership and unwavering support for youth environmental education across the state. 

• Terrell Treat, founding member, treasurer, and behind-the-scenes coordinator of the NM Envirothon for many years. His dedication has been a cornerstone of the program’s consistent success. 

• Mark Hedge, legendary coach of the Scat Cats, member of the NCF-Envirothon Operating Committee, and retired teacher who has mentored generations of Envirothon students and helped lead the team to over a dozen state titles and national placements. 

• Logan Peterson, NRCS Soil Scientist and Soils and Land Use station lead for over 12 years, recognized for his professional impact and ongoing advocacy for environmental education. 

It was also incredible to connect with alumni like Rachel Portillo, a Stanford graduate and educational content creator who developed the current lesson materials for NM Envirothon, and Lorraina Rojas, assistant coach of the Scat Cats, USFS Wildlife Technician, and current PhD candidate at UNM. Their continued involvement is a testament to the legacy and long-term impact this program has on students' lives. 

From engaging with students at the outreach table to listening in on presentations and helping behind the scenes, my time at the New Mexico Envirothon was both inspiring and energizing. A huge thank you goes out to the entire organizing team, board members, station leads, and volunteers who made this event such a success. I would also highly recommend having a look through the New Mexico Envirothon’s websites, their study resources are top notch!  

Congratulations to the winning team, the Scat Cats, who will go on to represent New Mexico at the 2025 NCF-Envirothon Annual Competition in Calgary, Alberta. I look forward to cheering them on and watching the continued success of this amazing program. 

Aubrey Balcom

April 18, 2025