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Brookings High Envirothon team recounts state wins and national competition in Calgary; trip funded by Butte County Conservation District
Summary
Brookings High School students described winning first and second at the South Dakota Envirothon and participating at the national competition in Calgary, Canada; students and an advisor outlined study disciplines, activities at nationals and plans to expand club outreach.
Seniors from Brookings High School presented the Envirothon club's recent successes to the Brookings School District board, including two top finishes at the state level and participation at the national competition in Calgary, Canada.
"We compete against teams across South Dakota and, Brookings this last year, we got first place and second place for the 2025 state competition," student Mallory Wells told the board. Advisor Lisa Bahi described the club's path from a first-year effort to state and national stages: "We stumbled upon this a couple years ago, and we went out to Rapid City and did it and gave it a try. That first year, they did win."
Students outlined Envirothon structure and activities: five study disciplines (forestry, wildlife, aquatic ecology, soils/land use and a current issue), a multi-day nationals format that includes site days, testing, a problem-solving presentation and cultural learning events, and a week of expert-led field experiences. The 2025 current issue addressed wildfires in the Black Hills.
Funding and outcomes
Students said the Butte County Conservation District paid for the trip to Canada. "Going up to Canada was all paid for by the Butte County Conservation District," one student said.
Team members also said Envirothon has led former participants to college choices and volunteer commitments: the students mentioned alumni attending South Dakota State University and University of California San Diego who credited Envirothon with influencing their majors and extracurricular resumes.
Plans and community outreach
Students said the club hopes to recruit more members, host learning sessions for younger students and strengthen connections with conservation experts. "We especially want to make sure we get to connect with more experts and learn even more," a student said.
Ending
Board members praised the presentation. The Envirothon students and their advisor answered a few clarifying questions about competition format and testing methods before the meeting proceeded to reports and other business.
