By Blake Jackson
The 2026 New York State Envirothon brought together nearly 200 students for a two-day environmental competition held at SUNY Cortland on May 27 and 28. The event focused on important topics such as soils, forestry, wildlife, aquatics, and the key issue “Non-Point Source Pollution Mitigation: It Begins at Home.”
New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball praised the participants for their dedication and skills. “The annual Envirothon competition series is a critical part of environmental and agricultural education in our state and across the world, and it is inspiring to see so many young people preparing to advocate for our environment and natural resources in the years to come. This competition provides a unique opportunity for our students to put their education to the test through hands-on experiments and helps shine the spotlight on the critical importance of preserving our natural resources. I congratulate our New York teams and our winners and wish them the best of luck moving forward.”
The Mount Academy from Ulster County secured first place and became the state champion. Red Creek Central School placed second, while Chautauqua Lake Central School earned third place. The winning team will travel to Mississippi State University in Starkville to represent New York at the international competition.
Students took part in written tests, field station challenges, and oral presentations. These activities tested their knowledge of natural resources and environmental science.
Jessica Armstrong, President of the Conservation District Employees' Association, appreciated the efforts of students and organizers. “The 2026 NYS Envirothon event was an incredible success, and it was truly a privilege to serve as a final oral presentation judge. The NYS Envirothon Committee did a marvelous job organizing and delivering this year's event. Their dedication and hard work created an exceptional experience for all participants, volunteers, and supporters.
Witnessing the dedication, hard work, and depth of knowledge demonstrated by these students was both inspiring and impressive. The passion and effort these students bring to the competition highlight not only their commitment to environmental stewardship, but also the bright future ahead for the next generation of leaders.”
The event was supported by organizations such as -General Motors, Kate’s Real Food, Chobani, Aqua Valley Spring Water, The New York Chip Company, Cornell University CALS Department of Food Science, Roc-Star Ice Cream, Brothers All Natural, NYS Conservation District Employees’ Association Inc, NYS Agriculture and Markets Soil and Water Conservation Committee, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Soil and Water Conservation Society Empire Chapter, Scott Fickbohm, and Cabot Cheese.
Photo Credit: nys-envirothon
Categories: New York, Education, General