Wisconsin Envirothon

You might see some familiar faces from our Soils & Land Use Station! Congrats to UWSP Soil Judging team for a great run at the National Soil Judging Contest. Professor Bryant Scharenbroch and his students are long standing volunteers, from writing the test to running the soil pit! 🪏

The UW-Stevens Point Soil Judging Team rocked the National Soil Judging Contest in North Carolina at the end of March, snagging 13th place and proving Pointers know their stuff! This was the biggest competition yet, with 338 students from across the country digging in.

Led by Professor Bryant Scharenbroch and assistant coach Owen Turner, the team kept UWSP’s tradition of hands-on soil science alive and thriving. Shout-out to this year’s stars: Elliot Nimmer (placed 17th out of 112 individually), Mary Chesnut, Erin Tschida, and Nora Hunt. UWSP continues to set the bar high for hands-on achievement in soil science!

Learn more at www.uwsp.edu/cnr/cnr-news-and-events

Next up is our Forestry Station, where it's all about the trees! From measuring trees to identifying sustainable management practices for healthy forests, these students proved they are ready to lead the way in conservation and forestry.

There’s no better way to learn about the earth than by climbing into a soil pit! At our Soils & Land Use Station, students worked with professional soil scientists to analyze soil profiles and evaluate landforms. They explored how specific soil characteristics impact everything from agricultural production to community development.

Let's learn more about our testing stations, and dive into the world of water! At the Aquatic Ecology station, students worked in teams to identify aquatic organisms and recognize invasive plants. They even peered at tiny aquatic invertebrates to learn how these creatures help us determine water quality and manage entire watersheds.

There is nothing like trading the classroom for the great outdoors! ☀️🌲🥾

More than 155 students got their hands dirty at four field stations: Aquatic Ecology, Forestry, Soils & Land Use, and Wildlife. From climbing into soil pits to analyze profiles to identifying aquatic invertebrates and interpreting wildlife surveys, these teams showed off some serious skills. Whether they were measuring trees or identifying invasive species, our competitors are becoming the next generation of land stewards!

Huge congratulations to Middleton High School for taking 1st Place Overall in the High School Division! They earned the highest score out of 29 competing teams and are now headed to the international stage. This summer, they will pack their bags and represent Wisconsin at the NCF-Envirothon in Mississippi.

Don’t miss your chance to compete in the Wisconsin Envirothon!

We’ve extended the registration deadline to Friday, March 13—so there’s still time to get your team in on this exciting environmental science challenge. 🌎🌿

Gather your team and register now before the new deadline!

Learn more and sign up: https://ow.ly/NMVS50YrXCE

The 2026 WI Envirothon will take place on April 10, 2026 at Wisconsin Lions Camp in Rosholt, WI. Registration is now open! Register your team here. https://wisconsinlandwater.org/our-work/youth-education/envirothon/envirothon-registration

Interested in keeping up to date on conservation news? Wisconsin Envirothon 2025 sponsor, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, compiles news from across the country. Check it out at

| Natural Resources Conservation Service Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Thank you Smithfield Foods for investing in education and hands-on learning through the 2025 Wisconsin Envirothon. Together, we’re empowering the next generation of environmental stewards. Learn more about their commitment to education

Smithfield Foods | Education Smithfield believes education is the foundation for personal growth and career development.

The North Central Land + Water Area Association commits to protecting Wisconsin’s natural resources. Learn more about them at https://wisconsinlandwater.org/members-hub/area-associations/northcentral