The 36th annual Chautauqua County Envirothon was held April 29 at Boy Scouts of America’s Camp Merz located in Mayville.

A rainy, cold day could not quell the competitive spirits of the 15 competing schools, comprised of 27 different teams. Students spent the day answering environmentally-based questions focused around the core areas of wildlife, forestry, soils, aquatics and a current issue. The Envirothon, an environmental competition for students in grades nine to 12, held its first competition in New York in the spring of 1979. Chautauqua County Soil and Water Conservation District hosted its first Envirothon for the County in 1990. This program continues to be a wonderful opportunity for students to get out of the classroom and develop skills in nature.

The 2026 overall winner placings are as follows: Chautauqua Lake Team II in first place, Westfield II in second, and Hewes II in third. The winning team was coached by Mary Jantzi. The winning team member names are Dayne Jantzi, Evan Riedesel, Jocelyn Miller, Eve Kushmaul, Jacob Gilmore, and Liam Schulz. All competing teams, coaches and volunteers received locally printed t-shirts to commemorate this event.

Also, awards will be given for high scores in the individual categories. Falconer II scored first in the soils category. Forestville I was first in wildlife, and Westfield I was first in forestry. Forestville I placed first in the aquatics category, and Panama I placed first in the current issue. The tests are created by professionals and prove to be quite difficult. Achieving first place in an individual category is no small feat!

Chautauqua Lake team II will now travel to SUNY Cortland May 27 and 28 to represent Chautauqua County in the New York State Envirothon.

The Chautauqua County Soil and Water Conservation District would like to give special thanks to Camp Merz located in Mayville, NY for hosting this event over the past several years. Additional thanks go to Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy, Ecostrategies Civil, Engineering PLLC, Gymnastic Society of Polish Falcons, Inc., W.P. Jackway Post 6764 V.F.W., Ripley Rod & Gun Club, Lakewood Rod & Gun Club, Westfield Fish & Game Club, Inc., Chautauqua Lake Fishing Association, Laumer & DeAngelo Fessenden, Reds Best LLC, Conewango Creek Watershed Assn., Conewango Creek Watershed Association, Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club, Greener Gardens, Allegheny Foothills Chapter NYFOA, Chautauqua Co Federation of Sportsmen, AP Tree Care, County Line Stone Co., Inc, Knight Vineyards LLC, Merk Drilling & Blasting Corp., Rock Hill Engineering LLC, Shults Management Company. Thank you to all businesses who donated to this cause. Without your support, this event could not continue!