Indiana Envirothon – Northwest Region Event Host
2024 Indiana Envirothon Northwest Region Winners:
Left- 1st Place LaPorte High School Team Bison Place; Center – 2nd Place Westville High School Team Orange; Right – 3rd Place Michigan City High School Team I.C.P.
The Indiana Envirothon is a competitive learning event for high school aged students. It is open not only to school groups but scouting groups, FFA’s, Green Teams, 4-H groups, home-schoolers, and more. Envirothon tests students’ knowledge on a variety of topics including soils, forestry, wildlife, aquatics and current environmental issues.
Envirothon raises environmental awareness and prepares tomorrow’s leaders to deal with the consequences of human activity on our environment.
At the national level, students compete for over $100,000 in scholarships. Please visit www.envirothon.org for additional information about the national competition.
Fifth Grade Conservation Field Days
This all-day program, held every year at Luhr County Park in the Spring, is a collaboration with many LaPorte County Conservation Agencies. It is open to all fifth grades in LaPorte County, including charter, private and home school groups. Students rotate through seven conservation related stations. Field Days will be held May 13-17, 2024. Registration is now closed; space is limited and on a first-come basis. To register, complete the Google Form at this link in its ENTIRETY, one form for each class: 2025 Dates TBD
Kankakee River Days–
This place-based environmental education program, geared for 4th grade, takes place outside on the banks of the Kankakee River. Students attend hands-on learning stations facilitated by local professionals on the subjects of watershed conservation, history, and ecology, and then paddle in a 24-foot Voyageur canoe on the river. By immersing the students in learning both on and beside the river, they gain an appreciation for the importance of the river as a resource, observe it up close, and develop a connection to the river and its place on the landscape.
Registration information will typically be available in the Spring. Registration for the Fall 2024 dates is closed.
Kankakee River Days @ Kingsbury Fish & Wildlife Area: September 23-27, 2024
Kankakee River Days @ Grand Kankakee Marsh Co. Park in Hebron: September 30- October 4, 2024
Students launch in a wooden canoe on the Kankakee River
4-H Soil and Water
4H Soil and Water Science Project –
We serve as the project superintendent for the 4H Soil and Water Science Project. The soil and water science project teaches youth about soil, water, and environmental stewardship. Learn about soil and water quality, how they interact, and how we can protect and preserve them. Check the 4-H Handbook for complete exhibit details. Please contact us if your Club would like a presentation or workshop.
The project offers many activities from performing a worm census to interviewing conservation professionals — and everything in between! If you are interested in more information about this project, or would like someone to come talk to your club about it, please contact Linda Schwab at the SWCD Office. Our number is 219-326-6808, ext. 2112 or by e-mail at lschwab@laporteco.in.gov. You can also contact the Purdue Cooperative Extension Office at 219-324-9407.