BOCES Forestry students successful at NYS Conservation Competition

WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWTI) – Local forestry students showed off their skills at the New York State Conservation Competition in May.

Students at the Environmental Conservation & Forestry program at the Howard G. Sackett Technical Center had another strong showing at the 2024 competition May 16 at Paul Smith’s College.

The event had 162 students competing from 12 different BOCES conservation and forestry programs from across the state. The competitions ranged from academics-based events such as identifying wildlife and trees to competitions such as Skidder Operation, Chainsaw Speed Cut, Jack and Jill Crosscut Saw, Fire-Building, Tree Felling and more.

The New York State Conservation Competition has been running since the 1980’s and is organized by conservation instructors around the state.

Students from the Sackett Center won a total of three first-place trophies, four second-place
trophies, and one third-place trophy. Here is a list of local winners:

First-Place winners

• Skidder Operation- Timothy Hutchins (Adirondack)
• Fish and Wildlife- Paige Roggie (Beaver River)
• Fire Build- Paige Roggie (Beaver River) and Giovanni Foster (Adirondack)

Second-Place winners

• Tree Identification- Paige Roggie (Beaver River)
• Men’s Bow Saw- Hunter Zawisza (Adirondack)
• Female Bow Saw – Lillian Kaputa (Beaver River)
• Compass and Pace-Hunter Zawisza (Adirondack)

Third-place winner

• Tree Identification-Timothy Hutchins (Adirondack)

First-place winners earn a $1,500 annual scholarship, second-place winners received a $1,000
annual scholarship and third-place finishers get a $750 annual scholarship to Paul Smith’s
College.

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