Green dream team

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This article was published 21/06/2025 (272 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

With environmental issues reaching crisis levels, finding reasons to be optimistic about the future of the planet isn’t always easy.

But there’s a group of people committed to making sure those concerns are at the very top of the priority list. And it’s young people at the centre doing the work, providing reasons to hope for a brighter world.

The Manitoba Envirothon, hosted by the Manitoba Association of Watersheds (MAW), is on a mission to foster teamwork, problem-solving and environmental awareness among high school students.

The annual event has been going strong for 28 years, first hosted by the Manitoba Forestry Association and for the last two years by MAW.

In April, the regional competitions saw high school students from across Manitoba compete and test their knowledge of aquatic ecology, wildlife ecology, plants and forests, soils and land use, and this year’s theme — invasive species.

“The Envirothon is more than a competition — it’s a powerful learning experience that fosters collaboration, critical thinking and environmental responsibility,” said Lynda Nicol, MAW’s executive director.

“One of the things I love the most is the optimism. I get goosebumps,” recalled Nicol after being among an enthusiastic crowd at the recent provincial competition. “A hundred students put in so much time in their studies — their enthusiasm is truly uplifting. The youth, their leadership and their commitment bring the hope.”

Teams consist of five members. There can be 50 teams or more that compete in regionals held in every corner of the province. Twenty of those generally get to compete at provincials. Internationally there are approximately 50 teams.

At the provincial competition in May, Team Terra from Shaftesbury High School in Winnipeg emerged victorious and will compete at the 2025 National Conservation Foundation Envirothon next month in Calgary, facing champions from across Canada and the United States.

The high school also brought home provincial championships in 2022 and 2023. With Shaftesbury’s record, team adviser Larry Solomon couldn’t be more proud.

“Our team captain, Elizabeth Piche, has competed in all three in grade 9/10/12. The calibre of student is exceptional — she managed to participate in her final high school band concert the Thursday evening of the provincial competition, drive out to Camp Arnes late, compete in the field test Friday afternoon, head back to Winnipeg to play in the provincial ultimate tournament. She returned Friday night so she could help prepare and present her team’s presentation Saturday and left immediately to continue the ultimate tournament.

“These kids are amazing — I get them some materials, point them in the right direction and get out of their way,” Solomon said.

“Her teammates just took the challenge in stride and were able to beat out some extremely tough competition. I think that is the heart of educating, watching them grow into young adults and face challenges with grace, intelligence and an adjustable plan. This is a taxing event, one that has caused even the most dedicated students to stumble at times. These Grade 12 Shaftesbury students are resilient.”

Shaftesbury’s Titan Team Gaia was another top-scoring team.

“These are the next up-and-comers, looking to continue the school’s success,” Solomon said.

Unlike Swan Valley Regional Secondary, Westwood and Grant Park high schools, which teach environmental science courses, Shaftesbury Envirothon is a club run at lunch hours and after school, leaving it to the students to make the necessary time in their schedules to prepare for the event.

“The dedication, knowledge, creativity and teamwork displayed by all teams is not only impressive, it’s also reassuring to be part of a program promoting application of science theory to real world issues. The students are our future, and this investment will pay off, not only today, but for future generations. Our students can accomplish anything,” said Solomon.

The annual hands-on environmental education competition for high school students is designed to encourage an appreciation for current environmental issues. The exhilaration of team competition, the challenge of learning about environmental issues and the experience of using knowledge in hands-on activities helps students develop skills necessary to address environmental issues like collaboration, critical thinking and public debate.

Through its support and promotion of the Manitoba Envirothon, MAW empowers youth to become stewards of their natural surroundings and works to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of environmental programs and initiatives within Manitoba’s watershed communities.

“We see in the long term a need for more people to be actively engaged within the environmental industry,” said Nicol. “These students are the environmental leaders of tomorrow. They have that interest and we have an opportunity to provide additional, detailed and current studies, enhance their understanding, further their education of science with real work education and hands-on training by industry professionals.

“We have folks from various levels of government. They come out to showcase and share their knowledge, help (the students) understand career goals, foster connections with industry professionals and learn about opportunities in the environmental industry to apply their knowledge,” Nicol explained, adding that students gain the knowledge needed to make principled choices and have a higher degree of understanding.

The Manitoba Envirothon is run by a community engagement co-ordinator, a volunteer steering committee and former Envirothoners.

There are many ways to engage in the program either with sponsorships and donations, or through volunteering. Envirothon is open to all schools throughout the province and encourages teachers and students with an interest in natural science to learn more and participate.

Visit: manitobawatersheds.org/about