For the first time, the Seine Rat Roseau Watershed District (SRRWD) is hosting the East Regional Manitoba Envirothon.
"The Envirothon is a hands-on education competition for high school students," says Alex Wolf, a watershed technician at the SRRWD.
She says the day starts off with a learning session, where teams learn about different tools they'll need to use at trail stops through the day.
The event will wrap-up with a field test, she adds, in which competitors have to answer questions about environmental issues.
This year, Wolf says, the theme is invasive species and will be held at the Tourond Creek Discovery Centre.
"There are 10 trail stops that have the field test at them, and then there's an oral component as well—or 'the knowledge showcase,'" Wolf says.
During the knowledge showcase, students will give a 10-minute presentation and share a poster on the theme.
Six volunteers of 33 will judge the presentations.
However, Wolf says the Envirothon is more than just a competition.
"It's important to get kids involved with the environment and be educated so that they're aware there's a lot of things happening around us that we tend to ignore. Things that our daily lives can impact," she says.
"Getting kids interested in nature...is very beneficial."
Among the messages she hopes participants take away is the importance of water health and how it becomes polluted.
"Having them notice when things aren't as they should be (is important), or noticing changes that can be made, and hopefully being able to grow up and make changes and be a voice for the environment," Wolf says.
The competition takes place on April 24 this year.
While registrations have closed for this year, Wolf encourages the community to support students in exploring this opportunity in future years.
"We want the event to keep getting bigger," she says.
For more information about the event, go to the Manitoba Association of Watersheds' website at manitobawatersheds.org.