Each year JSWCD, with the support of a wonderful planning committee comprised of local partners, puts on the Southern Oregon Regional Envirothon (SORE). SORE is a one-day, hands-on, natural resources competition for regional high school students.

SORE strives to help students exercise their critical thinking skills, increase natural resource content knowledge and skills, learn about natural resource professions, and inspire a passion to learn more about and be stewards of the environment.

Teams of 4-6 students compete. SORE tests their knowledge and skills in the following areas:

• Aquatic Ecology
• Soils and Land Use
• Forest Ecology
• Wildlife Ecology
• Annual Current Topic

SORE is closely modeled after the statewide Oregon Envirothon Competition. As it is held in advance of the statewide competition, SORE helps students prepare to compete in Oregon's Envirothon. Teams that participate in SORE regularly place in the top five teams at Oregon Envirothon; several have taken first at state and attended the international event representing Oregon! Indeed, Envirothons are also put on across states and provinces in the USA, Canada, and China and top-placing teams compete at the international NCF-Envirothon Competition. JSWCD helps sponsor local Jackson County teams to travel to NCF-Envirothon.

The inaugural SORE was launched in 2021 by Jackson Soil and Water Conservation District, Crater Renaissance Academy, Logos Public Charter School, Southern Oregon Land Conservancy, Grayback Forestry, the Bureau of Land Management, and Rogue River Watershed Council. SORE continues to be supported by many local partners who help make the event happen!

Interested in getting involved? Contact our Education and Outreach Coordinator!