CRYSTAL SPRINGS, May 13, 2016 - More than 115 students faced the cold and windy conditions for the 17th annual North Dakota Envirothon held this past week at Crystal Springs Camp. The two-day Envirothon attracted teams from 17 high schools.

Ducks Unlimited personnel Tanner Gue, Dane Buysse and Jennifer Kross were trail guides for the event. Trail guides are responsible for getting their assigned team to different check points throughout the test course. They answer any questions about rules and regulations of the competition while making sure their group stayed hydrated and on time to the next check-point.

Trail guides are not allowed to help students with the test, the students must use the knowledge they have gained during their studying. Students competing in the event generally have a strong interest in conservation and natural resources with some looking at future careers in biology.

"The competition helps coach the next generation of conservation professionals." said Tanner Gue, DU's North Dakota biologist.

DU Conservation Specialist Buysse says he enjoys helping with the event because he is teaching future generations about prairie wildlife and conservation.

The students completed two 140-minute trail tests on subjects such as soil, aquatic resources and prairie wildlife. Competitors were also given a couple of hours to prepare a full presentation on invasive species for a panel of judges.

The winning team, Midkota High School, will compete in the North American Envirothon competion in July at Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. Minot High School came in second and Bismarck E-Society placed third.