Norris Envirothon Team  

The Norris Envirothon Team consists of 5 members who study throughout the school year mainly on their own.  In the past, we have usually had one team, but have had two teams in various years.  We are able to field several teams depending on the interest for that year.  We have been competing since 1993and have competed in the State Competition each following year.  In 1994, we won the State Competition and represented Nebraska at the National Competition in North Carolina and again in 2004 we won and moved on to the National Competition in West Virginia. Each team member is given a couple of areas to study and become proficient in.  From there they work together to become knowledgeable in all 7 areas.

The tests included in this competition are:

1. Wildlife - includes:  animal tracks, facts on different animals, animal tracking devices, skeletons of different animals, identification of different types of animals and identification of various animal pelts.
2. Forestry - includes: tree identification by leaves, bark and entire tree, facts about different trees, use of forestry instruments (biltmore stick, prisms, clinometer and other diagnostic tools), ability to figure board feet and number of logs within a tree.
3. Water or Aquatics - includes:  stream flow, lakes, water pollution, water testing, use of water testing equipment, identification of fish and other aquatic animals, water cycle.
4. Range - includes:  range plant identification, use of range measuring equipment, range management practices, measurement of animal units.
5. Policy - includes:  Nebraska State Park policies, wildlife policy, NRD policy and management, Game and Parks policy and management, some national policy.
6. Soils - includes:  formation of soil, soil profiles, different kinds of soils found within Nebraska, identification of a particular type of soil.