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Deadline to register for state competition imminent
Students in schools throughout Arkansas have flexed their culinary skills and nature knowledge during the last month, engaging in regional competitions and preparing for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Generation Conservation Summit, which will be held at Hot Springs Convention Center and Bank OZK Arena Nov. 5-6. Educators have until Oct. 10 to enter their students in what is sure to be the pinnacle of outdoor education in The Natural State.
“GenCon” is more than a single event; it’s a science-based student outdoor recreation and conservation club meant to test and expand outdoor skills and knowledge.
According to J.J. Gladden, assistant chief of the AGFC’s Education Division, student teams have been working together throughout the beginning of the school year to learn more about conservation science and all the different competitions being held at the summit. With the breadth of knowledge being showcased, there’s something that touches on practically any student’s interest.
No doubt, there will be physical challenges guided by the AGFC Enforcement Division and wildlife identification skills headed up by the AGFC’s Wildlife Management Division, but there will also be competitions using computer mapping software, nature photography, journalism and even debate challenges judged by the AGFC’s legal team.
“That’s what’s really so great about GenCon,” Gladden said. “When someone sees that I work for the AGFC, they automatically ask if I’m a game warden, but there are so many other fields of study that have to come together to make conservation happen. This summit gives us the opportunity to showcase some of those other disciplines.”
The students who competed in regional events earlier this month can attest to the breadth of competitions available. During the first round of GenCon activities, teams of students flexed their mental muscles in quiz bowl formats focused on conservation knowledge, and high school teams showed off some creative cooking abilities in the wild game culinary competition.
“Everyone entering the workforce may not have their mind set on wildlife management, but everyone can have a mind for conservation, no matter what career they pursue,” Gladden said. “And with the many easy ways people have to get involved in conservation, we’re betting that each one of these students has a role to play in the future of wildlife management, even if it’s volunteering or contributing to the AGFC at a local level.”
Visit www.agfc.com/conservationsummit to learn more and sign up your school to participate in this year’s Generation Conservation Summit. Students and teachers who register will be entered into drawings for prizes throughout the event, and schools that sign up will be entered into drawings for educator kits valued at more than $1,000.
Generation Conservation Regional Winners
East Region
Middle School – Wynne Junior High
High School – Riverside High School (Lake City)
West Region
Elementary – Mt. Judea Elementary
Middle School - Prairie Grove Middle School
High School – Lamar High School
North Region
Elementary – Flippin Elementary
Middle School –Flippin Middle School
High School – Flippin High School
South Region
Middle School – Harmony Grove Middle School
High School – Caddo Hills High School