Despite a weekend of snow, high winds, and freezing temperatures, students arrived ready to compete—with a level of enthusiasm and resilience that matched this year’s theme: “Roots & Resiliency: Fostering Forest Stewardship in a Canopy of Change.”  

The event gathered teams from across Utah, including students active in FFA, 4-H, and high school science programs. Their shared goal: to demonstrate their knowledge in five core subject areas—soils and land use, aquatic ecology, forestry, wildlife, and the 2025 current issue focused on forest health in the face of environmental change.  

Friday’s oral presentations marked the first major test for participating teams. Students were tasked with developing and presenting forest management strategies tailored to Utah’s unique ecological and social landscapes in the Fishlake National Forest. The scenario particularly focused on the mega-organism “Pando”, a Quaking Aspen clone that spreads over 106 acres, consisting of over 40,000 individual trees. Proposals incorporated diverse components such as climate modeling, wildfire risk mitigation, sustainable land use, and collaboration with local stakeholders and Indigenous communities. Presentations were judged by panels of professionals, who evaluated each team’s scientific reasoning, teamwork, and communication skills. Several judges remarked on the high caliber of thought and preparation demonstrated by students—many of whom spoke passionately about their connection to Utah’s landscapes and future careers in conservation.  

Saturday’s field testing challenged teams to apply their technical knowledge across the ecostations. Despite the challenging weather, station leaders delivered engaging, field-based assessments that required students to observe, analyze, and problem-solve in real-time. These ecostations were staffed by a knowledgeable team of agency scientists, educators, and conservation professionals who brought both depth of expertise and a clear commitment to student learning.  

A particular highlight of this year’s event was the strong support from Utah State University’s Ag in the Classroom initiative and student volunteers from the Utah State University ANNERS Club and USU FFA. These college mentors not only assisted with logistics and guided teams through competition tasks but also served as inspiring role models—demonstrating how early experiences with programs like Envirothon can evolve into lifelong careers in natural resources, education, and agriculture.  

Throughout the event, what stood out most was the shared sense of purpose among students, mentors, and organizers. Whether in the snow-covered field stations or during collaborative prep sessions before presentations, the energy and dedication were palpable. The Utah Envirothon clearly fosters more than just academic competition—it builds confidence, leadership, and a deep connection to place.  

Congratulations are in order for Logan High School, who earned the opportunity to represent Utah at the 2025 NCF-Envirothon Annual Competition in Calgary, Alberta. Their thoughtful presentation, strong teamwork, and impressive field scores earned them top honors in a highly competitive field. A sincere thank you to the Utah Envirothon Board, station leaders, judges, volunteers, and partner organizations who made this year’s event such a success. Your investment in Utah’s next generation of natural resource leaders is already making a lasting impact. 

Aubrey Balcom

April 18, 2025