Woodland Park students, coaches ask district to fund Envirothon program and pursue Seal of Climate Literacy

Woodland Park School District board members heard public comments praising students who represented Colorado at the Envirothon national competition and were asked to commit district funding and an application to the state education board for a diploma seal.

Rose (last name not provided), the Envirothon sponsor, told the board that “the Colorado Board of Education . . . have approved Envirothon as a keystone project for the Seal of Climate Literacy,” and said the district must apply at the school level to have the seal placed on student diplomas. She urged the board to ensure the district applies so students can have the recognition on their diplomas.

Jess Larson, who identified himself as a Woodland Park High School football and basketball coach, read a statement describing the students’ work at state and national competitions. He said the team “competed against 49 other teams from around the world” in Alberta, Canada, and commended the students for spending long hours preparing. Larson also told the board that sponsor Rose “was able to obtain over $7,000 in order to provide Woodland Park this amazing experience” and asked the district to “support Envirothon by creating and securing annual funding by the school to allow this program to continue.”

Board members thanked the students and the coaches. A board member said, “We are incredibly proud of these students and their coaches for representing Colorado with such dedication, skill, and professionalism.” The board did not take a funding vote at the meeting; speakers asked the district to meet with Envirothon organizers to discuss options and to file the school-level application for the Seal of Climate Literacy.

Why it matters: Envirothon is an extracurricular science competition that, per speakers, provides students field-testing, research and presentation experience and may qualify as a recognized keystone project for the state Seal of Climate Literacy if the district applies. Board-level approval would be required to commit ongoing district dollars or to change diploma policies.

Board next steps discussed in the meeting included scheduling follow-up meetings between district staff and Envirothon sponsors to identify potential funding sources and the steps required for the district to apply for the diploma seal.