Potsdam Central School and Parishville-Hopkinton Central tied for first place out of 26 teams recently at the North Adirondack Regional Envirothon (NARE) at Paul Smith’s College.

Competing with teams from four northern New York counties, both schools scored 99 out of 125 points. A tie-breaker put the Potsdam team first, but since they are unable to travel to the NYS Envirothon, Parishville-Hopkinton has accepted the challenge.

The NARE program brings high schools from Clinton, Essex, Franklin and St. Lawrence counties together to compete for the opportunity to participate in the New York State Envirothon.

The winning team from each county is eligible to participate in the state championship May 25 and 26 at Hobart and William Smith College in Geneva.

The winning team from New York State will compete in the 23rd annual Canon Envirothon Championship July 24 - 29 at Mt. Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada. (www.envirothon.org)

The Envirothon is a scholastic team competition that tests students’ knowledge of New York’s natural resources in five areas—forestry, wildlife, soils, aquatics and a current issue which changes every year. This year’s current issue topic is “Salt and Fresh Water Estuaries. Up to two teams of five students each from each school may compete. The students are required to answer questions and demonstrate hands on application of these topics.

The program is put together by the local Soil and Water Conservation Districts from Clinton, Essex, Franklin and St Lawrence counties. It is sponsored by Paul Smith’s College and supported by ALCOA, ESF Ranger School, Ellsworth Homestead, Catamount Lodge & Forest LLC, Malone Federation of Teachers, International Paper Company, Stewart’s Shops, Price Chopper, Corning Inc, Potsdam Rescue Squad, Essex, Franklin & St Lawrence County WQCC, and other individuals.

For more information , contact the St. Lawrence County Soil and Water Conservation District at 315-368-3582.