Area youth compete in Envirothon

BEMIDJI - Students from Northome School participated May 2 in the area VIII Envirothon at Lake Bemidji State Park.

Northome science teacher Jim Schneider coached this first-time Koochiching County team to a second-place win.

Each year, soil and water conservation districts from Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods and Wadena counties work together to host the Area VIII Envirothon, an outdoor learning event for high school students in grades 9-12.

This year officials welcomed sixth- through eighth-graders to compete alongside the older students in the area's first Junior Envirothon.