Envirothon

Each year the Root River SWCD, along with nine partnering SWCDs, sponsor this educational, competitive event designed for teams of junior high school students and high school students in SE Minnesota.

At each station, teams composed of five students answer questions on the subject. Since the event takes place outdoors, questions involve actual contact with natural resources, rather than a “paper and pencil” approach.  After finishing at one station, the team moves on to the next station, approximately 25 minutes is spent at each station.

An oral presentation is also part of the day’s activities. A situation is given to the students approximately two months prior to the event.  This allows them ample time to research the situation and answer the questions asked in the form of a presentation.  The day of the Envirothon the students will have seven to ten minutes to make their oral presentation.  The oral presentation problem is the same as the one used at the State Envirothon.

The top three teams from the Area VII competition advance to the State Envirothon.

Sixth Grade Environmental Day

Annually, Houston County’s public and parochial sixth graders look forward to their outing to Winnebago Springs (formerly Camp Winnebago) for the 6th Grade Environmental Day.

This educational day, hosted by the Root River SWCD, is held in an outdoor environmental classroom setting covering topics such as water quality/ground water, ATV safety, rattlesnakes, aquatic invasive species, soil, wildlife, forestry and electro stream shocking. The volunteer presenters provide the students with a fun and memorable hands-on learning opportunity focusing on our natural resources and conservation.