Students from Beaufort County and surrounding regions competed this week in the 2026 Coastal Envirothon. Five-member teams from high schools and middle schools competed in a natural resources and ecology field day. The annual event stimulates, reinforces and enhances students’ interest in the environment and our state’s natural resources. It is a qualifying event for the state Envirothon competition, which will be held in Burlington, N.C., in April.

The Coastal Envirothon is a one-day competition hosted by Areas 5 and 6 of the North Carolina Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

Beaufort County was well-represented. 'Coastal Pollutants', a team from Northside High School, took first place in the Area 5 high school competition. Two teams from Beaufort County Early College High School - 'Spring Peepers' and 'Mighty Ducks' - finished in second and third place, respectively. The 'Trash Pandas' out of Northside took fourth, and 'The Divine Comedies' from BCECHS placed sixth.

In the Area 5 middle school competition, three teams from Northeast Elementary placed in the top 7: The Brain Squad (2), Enviro X (3) and The Mixers (6).

Congratulations to all of the teams that competed in this event.