Michael Clarke, in an interview about the state of our knowledge regarding nature, described a new phenomena regarding the inability of individuals to know their local species of animals and plants. This disconnect from local natural systems prompted the Garrard County 4-H Youth Development (YD) Agent, in collaboration with the Garrard County FFA Advisor, to start and sustain an Envirothon Team at Garrard County High School. The program was implemented in 2016 and the inaugural group graduated, but, as a part of their participation, they recruited a new team to replace them. The unfortunate series of events, including a global pandemic, halted the continuation of the program. 

The mission of the Envirothon Competition is develop individuals to listen with comprehension, collect, organize, and analyze information, frame appropriate questions to guide their investigation, use a range of resources and technologies in addressing questions, and critically examine information from a variety of sources. In addition, the local goal was to make them more aware of their surroundings and natural inhabitants, so they could develop a sense of appreciation and empathy for native species and communities. The Garrard County 4-H YD Agent prepares weekly lessons, organizes guest speakers, gathers materials and resources for individual study, arranges field trips, secures funding for competition fees, and leads all lessons. Current team members have showed progressive growth in all phases of the competitive portion of the program, but they are showing marked improvement and interest in native species and the anthropomorphic influences on the surrounding environment. Continued development and encouragement from the Garrard County 4-H YD Agent and FFA Advisor will create engaged, socially and naturally aware citizens for the future.

During the most recent West Regional Envirothon Competition, the team from Garrard County finished in the top 10 and missed the opportunity to move on to the State Envirothon Competition by 13.5 points. Although most of the group are seniors, a new team has shown interest for next year. One team member, a junior, is pursuing a career in Biology and attributes some of that interest to the participation in the Envirothon practices and the competition.