Envirothon Students Witness the Effects of Climate Change
At Jay’s Spruce Mountain High School, students are putting climate education into practice by competing in Envirothon, an environmental competition program of the National Conservation Foundation. After winning its twelfth state championship in 2023, the all-star team went to work preparing for the international championship in Canada, working with the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future to learn more about climate adaptation.
As the team was packing their bags for Canada, Jay experienced historical damage from some of the worst rainstorms the town has seen. After an estimated five to six inches of rainfall in under three hours, roads were destroyed, culverts were blown out, and driveways were inundated. Months later, the town is still recovering.
Shaken but undeterred, the Spruce Mountain Envirothoners went on to place 16th in the world for their work at the international championship in Canada. Even in the face of climate devastation in their hometown, these students are excelling in education and action.
