For the past 34 years, Weedsport, and Weedsport’s John Lawler, have been involved in the New York State Envirothon. Envirothon began in the year 1990, and Lawler has kept Weedsport involved the whole time. Lawler claims Envirothon has allowed students to, “Enhance their knowledge of environmental issues as well as the skill development in the various fields of environmental science.” Lawler has advised up to two teams every year, and he has done an excellent job sharing his knowledge on various topic areas with the students.
In Envirothon, students have studied wildlife, forestry, aquatics, soils, and a new current issue every year. Teams will first compete in a regional competition. This will consist of five tests, one for each area of study. If they are lucky enough to win, the team will move on to the state competition. In the state competition, students will complete five tests, usually more difficult than the regional meet tests, and they complete an oral problem.
Lawler believes that Enviothon helps students to excel in environmental sciences including in field experiences. Many students who were involved with Envirothon have gone on to pursue careers in environmental sciences, and all involved students will have the ability, “To explain the world around them.” Lawler has passed his love and appreciation for nature on to his students, and this will be forever cherished within the school. Lawler claims that the students will gain a sense of accomplishment, they will learn to work together, they will build relationships, and have a good sense of fun in the midst of difficult tasks.
According to Lawler, “Success can be achieved and measured as a result of a journey not necessarily the destination,” and all dedicated teams end up placing well in competitions. Lawler has even seen two teams achieve first place at the state meet and move on to nationals. He has also seen Weedsport win second and third place two times each.
As of right now, over a third of members have been involved in a long term project involving field ecology during Mr. Lawler’s biology class. As Lawler’s role in this school is changing, this year’s Envirothon seniors are the last who had been involved in these projects. Lawler believes that this was an amazing opportunity to introduce Envirothon activities to interested students. Now that Lawler will not be teaching a long term project, he is concerned about finding interested students for future Envirothon teams. Lawler is working hard to recruit kids in a new way, and with some creativity he expects to have enough kids for two teams.
Lawler claims that the 2024 Envirothon team is special. This group of students were introduced to Envirothon as sophomores, and are still part of this program three years later. They have named the team “Stumpies”, and have shown great dedication, respect, and they are fun to work with.
Looking foreword, Lawler hopes the Envirothon will grow in size and participation. There was a time when the regional meets were of equal size with the state meet, but now Cayuga County has very few participants. Lawler does not plan to advise the Envirothon forever, so he hopes to mentor another teacher to eventually take over when he is ready to step down from the Envirothon. The Envirothon has enhanced Lawler’s experience at Weedsport Central School, and has taken up a huge part of Lawler’s life.
