HARRISONBURG, VA (Rocktown Now) — Students from across the Shenandoah Valley put their environmental knowledge and problem-solving skills to the test during the annual Envirothon Competition held April 14 at Hillandale Park.

Hosted by the Shenandoah Valley Soil & Water Conservation District, the event challenged high school teams in a hands-on outdoor competition focused on natural resources, ecology and sustainability.

Teams from Eastern Mennonite School, Harrisonburg High School, Luray High School and Turner Ashby High School participated in this year’s competition. Students rotated through testing stations led by representatives from agencies including the Virginia Department of Forestry, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Competitors were evaluated on soils, forestry, aquatics, wildlife and a current environmental issue. This year’s special topic was “Non-Point Source Pollution: It Begins at Home!”

In addition to written and hands-on testing, teams delivered oral presentations in which they proposed renewable energy plans to a panel of judges made up of natural resource professionals.

Organizers said the program is designed to help students build environmental awareness while strengthening teamwork, critical thinking and decision-making skills related to balancing quality of life with environmental stewardship.

A team from Harrisonburg High School earned first place overall. Eastern Mennonite School placed second, and Turner Ashby High School finished third.

The top three teams will move on to the Area I Envirothon Competition on April 28 at Grand Caverns. The top three finishers there will advance to the state competition May 17-18 at Eastern Mennonite University.