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2019 Texas Envirothon

Nacogdoches
April 13–15, 2019

Results
  • 1st Place: Richardson High School, Question Mark Butterfly
  • 2nd Place: Science Academy of South Texas, Team Green
  • 3rd Place: Science Academy of South Texas, Team Maroon
Area of Study Top Score School, Team
Aquatics 84/100 Richardson High School, Question Mark Butterfly
Forestry 88/100 Richardson High School, Firewheel
Soils 86/100 Richardson High School, Question Mark Butterfly
Wildlife 76/100 Richardson High School, Question Mark Butterfly
Current Issue 88/100 Richardson High School, Question Mark Butterfly
Oral Presentation 183/200 Science Academy of South Texas, Team Maroon
Sponsors
  • Gold Sponsor: Eastman Chemical Co.
  • Silver Sponsor: LyondellBasell
  • Bronze Sponsors
      • Gulf Coast Authority
      • Montgomery County Soil & Water Conservation District
      • Texas Association of Environmental Professionals
      • Texas Forestry Association Educational Fund
      • Environmental Institute of Houston / UHCL
  • Supporters
      • Association of Texas Soil & Water Conservation Districts
      • Harris County Soil & Water Conservation District
      • Texas Association for Environmental Education
  • Hosts
      • Stephen F. Austin State University
      • SFA Gardens Pineywoods Native Plant Center
      • Walter C. Todd Agricultural Research Center
Participating Schools

Ten teams representing six Texas high schools participated in the three-day competition.

  • Academy of Science and Technology, The Woodlands
  • Richardson High School, Richardson
  • Rio Hondo High School, Rio Hondo
  • Science Academy of South Texas, Mercedes
  • Seven Lakes High School, Katy
  • The Woodlands College Park High School, The Woodlands

Press Release Final Scores Photo Gallery

Resources

Agriculture and the Environment: Knowledge & Technology to Feed the World

There are many articles that estimate the population of the Earth to be approximately 9 billion by the year 2050. One of the primary concerns for the agricultural industry is how will farmers be able to grow enough food to feed this growing population, while also protecting natural resources such as soil, water, air, wildlife, and forestry resources.

Students will learn the concepts of how agriculture and all natural resource areas are interrelated, and how the use of new technologies are key to increase food production. Key topics will include:

  • Understand the importance of moving toward sustainable farming systems to conserve natural resources, mitigate climate change, reduce erosion and protect water quality and quantity, and promote pollination;
  • Comprehension of farming practices that build soil organic matter such as composting, crop rotations, cover crops, conservation tillage, and management intensive grazing systems to improve soil health;
  • Understand integrated pest management and biological pest control techniques used to prevent insect pest, disease, and weed problems;
  • Understand the role of new technology: agricultural biotechnology; precision agriculture; and using UAV (drones, GIS, etc.) to increase farm efficiency for food production.
Key Topics & Learning Objectives

Key Topics

  1. Understanding how agroecosystems function and the services they provide.
  2. Understanding the importance of soil health as the foundation of a healthy ecosystem.
  3. Understanding sustainable agriculture on large and small farm operations, as well as the indicators of sustainable farming.
  4. Understanding how sustainable and best management farming practices enhance and protect soil health, water quality and quantity, and biodiversity; as well as manage insect pests, disease, and weeds.
  5. The differences of local, regional, and national foods systems that are vital to grow food for an ever increasing world population; and the importance of each food system.
  6. New technologies that help provide more efficient agriculture production.

Learning Objectives

  1. Understand how agroecology applies ecological principles to agricultural systems by considering productivity, ecosystem impacts, and social responsibility.
  2. Understand the indicators of soil health, including physical, chemical and biological properties and its role in the agroecosystem.
  3. Define sustainable agriculture, including comparing and contrasting sustainable practices on large and small farm operations.
  4. Understand the importance of moving toward sustainable farming systems to conserve natural resources, mitigate climate change, reduce erosion and protect water quality and quantity; as well as and promote pollination.
  5. Understand farm management practices to build soil organic matter, such as: composting, crop rotations, cover crops, conservation tillage, and management intensive grazing systems to improve soil health.
  6. Understand best management practices that improve water quality and reduce water use such as conservation tillage, cover crops, plant selection, precision agriculture, water re-use, and sub-surface drip irrigation.
  7. Understand integrated pest management and biological pest control techniques used to prevent insect pest, disease, and weed problems.
  8. Knowledge of the role pollinators play in farming and ways to attract them.
  9. Describe the economic, social, and environmental benefits of sustainable agriculture to local communities, as well as to regional and global food systems.
  10. Understand the role of new technology: agricultural biotechnology; precision agriculture; using UAV (drones, GIS, etc.) to increase farm efficiency for food production.
  11. Understand the risks and benefits of agricultural biotechnology.
Teacher Workshop Presentations
Topic Presenter
Current Issue: Agriculture and Climate Change Dr. Kathleen Garland, University of Houston-Clear Lake
Nature in Balance Jo Picken, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Soils James Akin, Natural Resources Conservation Service
Aquatics
Aquatics Notes
Krystyn Krafka, Harris County Flood Control District

Contact

  • Texas Envirothon

    Phone: 281-283-3045
    Email: reistle@uhcl.edu

    North Office Annex
    2700 Bay Area Blvd, Box 540
    Houston, TX 77058-1002