Contact(s):
Bruce Forman, Interpretive Services Supervisor (916)358-2353

The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) announced the top winners of the 23rd annual Nature Bowl competition held last month at California State University, Sacramento. The competition focuses on activities and questions regarding environmental science and natural resource conservation topics that correlate to California Education Standards for Science.

Student teams qualified for the finals by winning one of the seven area competitions. The teams competed in third/fourth grade and fifth/sixth grade divisions.

The winners in the third and fourth grade division were Charter Home Elementary of El Dorado, Latrobe Elementary of Latrobe, and Eureka Elementary of Granite Bay. The fifth/sixth grade division winners were Patwin Elementary of Davis, Latrobe Elementary and Deterding Elementary of Carmichael.

An honorary award was given to Veronica Schwalback of Deterding School for her long-standing participation. Schwalback has been an integral part of the Nature Bowl competition since its inception in 1984.

The annual event is open to all third through sixth graders and is one of only seven similar events in California. This event helps children learn more about their environment and encourages their involvement in conservation efforts in their communities.

Winners of this competition were rewarded with an opportunity to participate in a DFG fish planting operation at the American River Fish Hatchery.

The Nature Bowl is a partnership of the American River Natural History Association, American River Conservancy, California Department of Fish and Game, Effie Yeaw Nature Center of Sacramento County Parks, Placer Nature Center, Yolo Basin Foundation and California State University, Sacramento Schools and Colleges for the Advancement of Teaching Science Program.