High School Teams Compete in Environthon

Students From U.S. And Canada Compete In Week-Long Environmental Contest

(AP)  Toby Heavenrich can tell if a bite mark on a leaf was left by a rabbit or a porcupine. That kind of skill can come in handy at this week's environmental contest being held in New York's Finger Lakes region.

The event dubbed "Environthon" brings teams of high school students from across the U.S and Canada to Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva for a week of written quizes, oral presentations and outdoor challenges.

Heavenrich is a 17-year-old senior from rural Candor in central New York. He has competed six times in Envirothon, now in its 20th year. He and his four teammates are state champs, and they've been cramming for months to get ready for this week's competition.

Organizers say Envirothon challenges students to find the best methods for managing natural resources while instilling them with an interest in conservation.