LISBON — The Southwest Regional Envirothon competition was held on May 14 at the Packard-Littlefield Farm, 76 Littlefield Road. Nearly 100 people attended, including high school students, team advisors, resource specialists and volunteers. 

Team advisors had the opportunity to learn about the efforts of Robert Packard and Ella Mae Littlefield-Packard, owners of the farm. The farm, in partnership with the Androscoggin Land Trust and the Packard family, has conservation easements to protect about 400 acres from development and to allow its continued use as a working farm.

The property offers numerous learning opportunities with its diverse landscape that includes open fields, wetlands and woodlands. For nearly a decade, a portion of the land has been used by refugee and immigrant farmers through the New American Sustainable Agriculture Project, run by Cultivating Community of Portland. 

The Southwest Regional Envirothon competition in Maine is made possible by the collaboration of several soil and water conservation districts. Androscoggin Valley SWCD serves as the lead coordinator with partners from York County SWCD, Oxford County SWCD and Franklin County SWCD. Cumberland County SWCD serves as a financial sponsoring partner. 

The envirothon is a state and nationwide environmental education competition where high school students test their knowledge of natural resources and current environmental issues.

The top winning teams from each regional go on to compete in the state finals May 28. This year, 29 schools have registered and 50 teams are competing in the Maine Envirothon Program, with five schools and 11 teams participating on May 14.