Southern Oregon Regional Envirothon (SORE)

2026 SORE Event Brings Students Together for Natural Resource Learning

Jackson Soil and Water Conservation District was proud to help host the 2026 Southern Oregon Regional Envirothon, a hands-on natural resources competition for high school students from across Southern Oregon.

This year’s event was held on April 6, 2026, in Central Point. Students worked in teams to test their knowledge in five natural resource topic areas: soils and land use, forestry, wildlife, aquatics, and the current environmental issue. The 2026 current issue focused on nonpoint source pollution mitigation — a timely topic connected to water quality, land management, and everyday choices across Oregon.

Southern Oregon Envirothon gives students a chance to apply classroom learning outdoors, work as a team, and meet professionals working in conservation, agriculture, forestry, water, and natural resources. Throughout the day, students rotated through field stations, answered technical questions, and practiced problem-solving skills related to real-world resource concerns.

Several Southern Oregon teams went on to compete at Oregon Envirothon, where local students represented the region well. Logos High School’s “Rogue Pack” placed first statewide, and Eagle Point High School’s “Climate Crew” placed second. Logos Public Charter School is listed as Oregon’s 2026 winning school and will represent Oregon at the next level of Envirothon competition.

JSWCD extends a sincere thank you to the teachers, students, volunteers, natural resource professionals, and planning committee members who helped make this year’s event possible. Events like Envirothon help prepare the next generation of land stewards, conservation leaders, and natural resource professionals.

Five young women in black shirts holding awards and ribbons, smiling together outdoors, likely celebrating a competition achievement.
A group of people in bee costumes poses playfully outdoors, holding colorful ribbons, smiling under a clear blue sky.
A group of students proudly displays medals and awards at an outdoor event, wearing matching black shirts.
Four young men smiling, wearing matching black t-shirts, holding ribbons and a wooden plaque, inside a workshop.
A group of people in black shirts and yellow tutus gather outdoors near a building and tents, likely for an event.
A group of people gathered under a green tent, clapping and celebrating, possibly at an event or ceremony outdoors.
Three individuals collaborate at a picnic table outdoors, focusing on notes and drawings in a grassy setting.
Three people at a picnic table dressed in whimsical bee or butterfly costumes, engaged in conversation and planning outdoors.
A wooden plaque featuring an engraved design, indicating "Southern Oregon Regional Envirothon, 2026 Overall 1st Place."
The image shows people working at a table with tools, a red bucket, and materials for a project, possibly related to fieldwork.
Volunteers in butterfly-themed outfits are engaging in an outdoor science activity, surrounded by lab supplies and tools.
Two people in a grassy field, one holding a stick, with a red barn and trees in the background.
Two people are working at a table outdoors, examining plant samples and taking notes, with grass in the background.
The image shows multiple DEWALT two-way radios and chargers arranged on a table alongside some tools and accessories.
Two people in yellow outfits are at a table outdoors, surrounded by supplies and materials, possibly for an event or activity.
A group of people in gloves is working at a table outdoors, focusing on tasks related to a project, likely in a scientific context.
A group of young people are sitting at a table outdoors, engaging in a collaborative activity, surrounded by trees and greenery.
Two young individuals are examining a catalog or guide while standing at a table inside a tent.
The image shows a table with tools, a kit, and materials for an activity, possibly related to environmental testing or experiment preparation.
A group of people in black shirts gathered outside under a green tent, likely at an event in Southern Oregon, enjoying a sunny day.
The image displays several wooden plaques and colorful ribbons, indicating third place in various categories at an event.
The image shows a collection of ribbons in blue, red, and green, with a prominent blue ribbon labeled "FIRST PLACE."
Five young women in black shirts holding awards and ribbons, smiling together outdoors, likely celebrating a competition achievement.
A group of people in bee costumes poses playfully outdoors, holding colorful ribbons, smiling under a clear blue sky.
A group of students proudly displays medals and awards at an outdoor event, wearing matching black shirts.
Four young men smiling, wearing matching black t-shirts, holding ribbons and a wooden plaque, inside a workshop.
A group of people in black shirts and yellow tutus gather outdoors near a building and tents, likely for an event.
A group of people gathered under a green tent, clapping and celebrating, possibly at an event or ceremony outdoors.
Three individuals collaborate at a picnic table outdoors, focusing on notes and drawings in a grassy setting.
Three people at a picnic table dressed in whimsical bee or butterfly costumes, engaged in conversation and planning outdoors.
A wooden plaque featuring an engraved design, indicating "Southern Oregon Regional Envirothon, 2026 Overall 1st Place."
The image shows people working at a table with tools, a red bucket, and materials for a project, possibly related to fieldwork.
Volunteers in butterfly-themed outfits are engaging in an outdoor science activity, surrounded by lab supplies and tools.
Two people in a grassy field, one holding a stick, with a red barn and trees in the background.
Two people are working at a table outdoors, examining plant samples and taking notes, with grass in the background.
The image shows multiple DEWALT two-way radios and chargers arranged on a table alongside some tools and accessories.
Two people in yellow outfits are at a table outdoors, surrounded by supplies and materials, possibly for an event or activity.
A group of people in gloves is working at a table outdoors, focusing on tasks related to a project, likely in a scientific context.
A group of young people are sitting at a table outdoors, engaging in a collaborative activity, surrounded by trees and greenery.
Two young individuals are examining a catalog or guide while standing at a table inside a tent.
The image shows a table with tools, a kit, and materials for an activity, possibly related to environmental testing or experiment preparation.
A group of people in black shirts gathered outside under a green tent, likely at an event in Southern Oregon, enjoying a sunny day.
The image displays several wooden plaques and colorful ribbons, indicating third place in various categories at an event.
The image shows a collection of ribbons in blue, red, and green, with a prominent blue ribbon labeled "FIRST PLACE."

About Southern Oregon Regional Envirothon

Southern Oregon Regional Envirothon is a one-day, hands-on natural resources competition for regional high school students. JSWCD helps coordinate the event with support from local partners and volunteers. Students compete in teams and are tested on soils, aquatics, forestry, wildlife, and a current issue topic that changes each year.

Congratulations to the 2026 Oregon Envirothon Teams

Southern Oregon students had a strong showing at the state competition. Congratulations to Logos High School’s “Rogue Pack” for placing first statewide and Eagle Point High School’s “Climate Crew” for placing second.

The image features a logo with a mountain, tree, fish, eagle, and sun, representing the Southern Oregon Regional Envirothon.

Southern Oregon Regional Envirothon

 

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.

 

People conducting outdoor scientific research under a tent, with equipment and materials on tables.

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
Two people examine a coyote pelt and jawbone on a table outdoors.

 

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!

A group wearing yellow "Southern Oregon" shirts, standing outdoors, two holding plaques, smiling by a log with grassy field and trees behind.

Contact our Education and Outreach Coordinator to learn more!