PHOTOS BY BRENNA WHITE / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
TOP TEAM … The Fairview #1 Team took home first place – and will be the top team moving onto state competition.
EXAM TIME … The Hopewell School Team is all smiles while taking their forestry exam.
By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Area 1 Envirothon brought together high school students from across Northwest Ohio for a hands-on environmental competition focused on teamwork, problem-solving, and real-world knowledge.
Hosted in Williams County on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, the Williams County Soil & Water Conservation District put together the event on a warm, sunny day.
Anne Marie Michaels, Outreach and Education Coordinator, kept the competition running smoothly with continued support. The location was set in the Williams County Conservation League.
Despite the event being held locally, no Williams County teams were present this year. Schools were permitted to send up to three teams each.
Teams of up to five students competed in a series of outdoor stations covering key environmental topics, including soils, aquatics, wildlife, and forestry. By working together, participants competed in both written and practical exercises.
Many of the tests were interactive, giving students the opportunity to engage directly with their surroundings. One example included a large soil pit, which students were encouraged to climb in and examine the soil layers up close.
The Envirothon program emphasizes more than just competition. Its goals promote environmental awareness and encourage students to explore careers in conservation and natural resources.
In this year’s competition, Fairview Team #1 claimed first place, followed by the Fort Jennings team in second, Hicksville in third, and Seneca East in fourth. The Paulding #1 team earned an honorable mention with a fifth-place finish.
The top four teams will advance to the state-level competition, while the fifth-place team serves as an alternative if needed.
These top four teams will advance to the Ohio State Envirothon, where they will compete against other winning teams from across the state.
The 2026 State competition is scheduled to take place June 1-3, 2026, at Franciscan University. There, teams will once again participate in a series of field-based tests and collaborative problem-solving exercises.
As the competition progresses from the local level to state, the Envirothon continues to encourage students to learn about environmental education.
For the students involved, it serves as an opportunity to grow their understanding of the natural world while preparing for future roles in conservation.