Young Environmentalists Shine In Alberta Envirothon

Students out learning about root systems. Photo submitted

The Lakeland College campus in Vermilion was abuzz with youthful energy and environmental passion as it hosted the 2025 Alberta Envirothon from May 7 to 9. The three-day event brought together high school students from across the province to showcase their knowledge and skills in environmental science and natural resource management.

Launched in 1997, the Envirothon is North America’s largest high school environmental education competition, offering students hands-on learning focused on real-world ecological issues. Since its inception, the Alberta program has welcomed more than 600 participants from 31 communities and 122 teams, each composed of five to six students.

“The students are tested on their skills through written exams, oral presentations, and field challenges in aquatics, wildlife, forestry, soils, and land use,” explained Valerie Miller, Treasurer and Board Member of Alberta Envirothon. “This program provides opportunities for students, especially those from smaller or more rural communities, to explore science topics that may not be emphasized in their own schools.”

Chantelle Bambrick, President of Alberta Envirothon, highlighted the event’s growth: “We ‘sold out’ this year and had 15 teams participate, which is Alberta’s highest ever on record! We are thrilled to see such geographical diversity and representation from across the province again this year.”

Run entirely by volunteers, Alberta Envirothon is fueled by a shared commitment to environmental education.

“We are empowering these students with environmental knowledge so they can become advocates for their communities,” added Miller. “They can take action locally, educate others, and pursue careers that may reshape how we interact with the environment—ultimately creating a healthier, more hopeful future.”

Each year, the competition features a unique theme to inspire critical thinking and innovation. The 2025 topic, “Roots and Resiliency: Fostering Stewardship in a Canopy of Change,” challenged students to evaluate current forest practices, identify vulnerabilities, and propose adaptive strategies for sustainability.

Participants engaged in immersive outdoor sessions covering forestry, water resources, fish and wildlife, soil science, land management, and traditional Indigenous knowledge. They then applied their learning to solve a complex environmental scenario, presenting their solutions to a panel of judges.

For the second year in a row, Alberta Envirothon included cultural experiences and ceremonies led by various Indigenous Peoples. All participants—including students, teachers, advisors, guest speakers, volunteers, and board members—took part, in keeping with the spirit of truth and reconciliation.

“Our intention is to continue moving forward in a good way, and we’ve had excellent guidance from our Cultural Advisors,” noted Bambrick.

At the conclusion of the competition, St. Albert Catholic High School Team #2 was named the 2025 Alberta Envirothon champion. They will represent Alberta at the prestigious NCF-Envirothon, an international event taking place in Calgary from July 20–26, where over 50 teams from Canada, the United States, China, and Singapore will compete.

Second place went to St. John Paul II Catholic High School Team #1 from Grande Prairie, while Parkland Composite High School Team #1 from Edson claimed third place.

Bambrick expressed gratitude for the support of Alberta Envirothon’s sponsors and partners. “We’re incredibly thankful to our sponsors for believing in our mission and supporting these important initiatives. Our partnership with Lakeland College in Vermilion has been extremely valuable—they’ve been extraordinary hosts since 2022.”