For the second consecutive year, Alachua County’s 4-H Envirothon team, The Tardigrades, represented Florida at the International NCF-Envirothon Competition, earning top five finishes in two categories among 42 teams.
The team placed third in wildlife and tied for fourth in forestry at the international competition, held July 19-24 at Mississippi State University. The Tardigrades qualified after winning first place at the Florida Envirothon, according to an Alachua County 4-H release.
Team members are Will Mercado, Seth Norcross, William Pruden, Tristan Witt and Zhinou Womeni. Volunteer advisors Amy and Jonathan Pruden coach the team, with Abigail Pruden serving as assistant coach.
The NCF-Envirothon is North America’s largest high school environmental science and natural resource conservation competition, involving more than 25,000 students from the United States, Canada, China and Singapore.
The competition challenges students to apply environmental science knowledge and develop problem-solving and leadership skills through hands-on learning and outdoor field experiences. Students are tested in aquatic ecology, forestry, soils and wildlife, and deliver an oral presentation addressing a designated environmental issue.
This year’s current issue was “Non-Point Source Pollution: It Begins at Home.” The competition also focused on the flora, fauna and ecosystems specific to Mississippi.
The Tardigrades’ results mark another strong showing for the Alachua County 4-H program on the international stage, highlighting the team’s knowledge of environmental science and natural resource conservation.
In 2025, the Alachua County 4-H Envirothon team captured first place at the Florida Envirothon and represented Florida at the NCF Envirothon in Calgary, Alberta, at Mount Royal University.