The ‘Wild’ Envirothon was held on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 hosted by the Veterans Memorial in Port Allegany. The Envirothon began in 1989 in McKean County. 110 students from both Cameron and McKean Counties that included Cameron County High School, Bradford High School, Kane Area High School, Otto-Eldred High School, Port Allegany High School, and Smethport Area High School, participated in the event.

During this hands-on competition, students may be asked to measure a tree…identify a frog or toad call…or determine soil erosion potential according to a soil survey. They work as a 5-member team to answer questions, and use their critical thinking to find solutions to reality-based situations.

Partners helping to make the day possible included DCNR Bureau of Forestry, PA Game Commission, USDA Natural Resources & Conservation Service, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford as well as staff and volunteers from the Cameron and McKean County Conservation Districts.

The event was sponsored by McKean and Cameron County Conservation Districts, American Refining Group, Zippo, Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit 5, International Waxes, Casella Waste Management, Upper Allegheny Watershed Association, Zook Motors, Lafayette Township, Dresser Utility Solutions, Kiwanis Club of Bradford, Kane Elks Lodge, Kane Save A Lot, Pine Valley Nurseries, Team Minard Screen Printing & Embroidery, Kessel Construction Company, Pine Haven Veterinary Clinic, Miller-Raffaele VFW Auxiliary Post 6221, North Point Contracting, Solveson Contracting, Cameron County Outdoor Youth Activities, May Hollow Sportsmen, Cameron County Vet’s club, McKean County E-Sales, Emporium Food Market, J. Ream Engineering, Sinnemahoning Sportsman Association, Emporium Hardwoods, and IUE-CWA Union Workers of G.E. Motor Coils of Emporium

This year the “Wild” Envirothon was filled with unique opportunities for the students. The PA Game Commission brought a bear that was trapped and filled the student’s lunchtime with an educational presentation on how trapped bears are processed. The trapped bear was a male weighing in at 110lbs and was considered a “nuisance” bear for getting into trash. Once the bear was safely tranquilized the students got a rare opportunity of touching the bear. The bear was not injured and was released to a safer place after being processed. The day ended with another educational presentation about venomous snakes, particularly the timber rattle snake, python and the copperhead. Tiana Johnson and Alan Hillebrand are certified snake handlers. They spend their time protecting these misunderstood snakes. One of their jobs is to remove snakes from areas of construction and development. They do this to protect not only the snake but also public safety. The presentation taught students that snakes are not aggressive but rather reactive. Students enjoyed getting to touch and hold the snakes that were brought for the presentation.

Overall Winning Team and first place McKean County: Bradford Bees – Cecily Bell, Emmy Kemick, Autumn Neumann, Joe Bukowski, Jake Whitlow and Advisor Jan Russell. Second place McKean County team: The Sparklemuffin Spiders from Otto Eldred – Rowan Kriner, Abby Bell, Halle Wilson, Caleigh Rosler, Ellie Yingling and Advisor Fawn Miller.  Third Place from Smethport– Haydn Riekofsky, Mara Ours, Nick Learn, Fisher Szuba, Madelyn McKean and Advisors, Kelly Tarbox and Michelle Acker

The Bradford Bees will go on to represent McKean County at the State Envirothon to be held May 21, 2025 at Windber Recreational Park, Johnstown PA.