WAYNE AND PIKE COUNTIES, PA — In April, 104 students and teachers from high schools across Pike and Wayne counties joined their two county conservation districts for a full day of friendly competition and science education at the 39th annual Pike/Wayne Envirothon. 

The one-day, hands-on competition was co-hosted by the Pike County Conservation District (PCCD) and Wayne Conservation District (WCD) and tests students’ knowledge in five topics, ranging from forestry and wildlife to soils and land use, as well as current issues. This year, the Current Issues topic was “Non-Point Source Pollution: It begins at home.” 

Although the competition itself lasts just one day, teams spend weeks preparing and studying together for the chance to win the Envirothon trophy, earn a variety of outdoor-themed prizes, and qualify for the state-wide Pennsylvania Envirothon.

Each test and the study packets provided to students prior to the competition are curated by leaders in their fields, and many local professionals attend the event. We are grateful to all the partner organizations that join PCCD and WCD each year to create a successful event. The competition not only instills in the students a lifelong appreciation for environmental science but also introduces them to professionals and career paths within the field. 

Federal, state and local partners include the PA Fish & Boat Commission, the PA Game Commission, the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the PA Department of Environmental Protection, PA Envirothon, the Lake Wallenpaupack Management District, the Northern Tier Hardwood Association, the Natural Resource Conservation Service, Penn State Extension, and the Pike County Planning and Mapping Office. 

This year, 18 teams representing Cannan Christian Academy, Honesdale High School, Western Wayne High School, Wallenpaupack Area High School and Delaware Valley High School joined us for the event. Each school put forth an impressive effort, but Delaware Valley High School’s team, “Gopher Gold,” ultimately claimed the top spot. They will be moving on to the Pennsylvania Envirothon to represent Pike County at the state-wide event. 

Wayne County’s highest-scoring team, the “Nature Ninjas” from Honesdale High School, will also be traveling to the Pennsylvania Envirothon to represent Wayne County.    

PCCD and WCD want to thank the 2026 sponsors who funded this event, including all prizes, T-shirts, refreshments and more. Sponsors include Brookfield Renewable, Camp Umpy’s Bagels & Stuff; Citizens Savings Bank, The Dime Bank, Dirlam Bros. Lumber Co., The Friends of Delaware Water Gap, District 9 Pennsylvania Trappers Association, Greene Dreher Sterling (GDS) Community Fair, Honesdale Farm and Garden, Hemlock Farms Conservancy, Heritage Financial Credit Union, Lowe’s, Nature’s Grace, Northern Tier Hardwood Association, Paulie’s Hot Dogs, Pecks Lake Sportsman’s Association Inc., Pike County Outfitters, Radio Catskill, Re/Max, Shema Family Charitable Foundation, Twin and Walker Creeks Watershed Conservancy, Wallenpaupack Veterinary Clinic, Waterwheel Cafe, Wayne County Arts Alliance, Wayne Memorial Hospital, Watonka Outdoor Facilities and Woodlock.

To learn more about Envirothon, or to become a sponsor of the 2027 event, call the Pike County Conservation District at 570/226-8220 or the Wayne Conservation District at 570/253-0930.