What is an Eco-Meet?

Imagine a competition where knowledge of Kansas’ wildlife and plants is the key to success! The Eco-Meets offer a chance for the most naturally-qualified high school students to show what they know and win scholarships.

Participants are tested in four areas:

Habitat

Taking the Quiz – Photo by Tom Hein

Tests students’ integrated knowledge of specific Kansas habitat types. The topic area for 2024 is Wetlands/Aquatics. This is a lab-type test.

Focus Test

Tests students’ knowledge of one particular group of animals. For 2024, the focus topic is Mammalogy (mammals). This is a lab-type test.

Scavenger Hunt

Tests students’ ability to locate and identify various natural objects. This part takes place outside and mainly tests the ability to identify native plants.

Interpretation

Tests students’ ability to communicate ideas to an audience. It’s more than a skit and less than a speech, with elements of both–and a lot of fun!

Both team and individual efforts are recognized with medals and certificates. Some regional Eco-Meets offer scholarships to the members of the top three teams and to the top two individuals in the ecosystem and focus tests.

A little background:

The first Eco-Meets were held by the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania district of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1976. Eco-Meets are still being held there and the concept has spread to Illinois, Georgia, Maryland and Kansas.

In Kansas:

The 23rd Annual Statewide Kansas Eco-Meet was held at Camp Aldrich and Kansas Wetlands Education Center near Great Bend, on November 2, 2023.

Hall of Fame

Kansas Eco-Meet History:

• The Kansas Eco-Meets began in 1991 at the Milford Nature Center near Junction City. The Milford Eco-Meet draws teams from schools in the adjacent ten-county area. It became so successful that other areas began having them.
• 1999 was the first year in Kansas where more than one area had an Eco-Meet. One was held at Wilson State Park near Russell and one was held at the Great Plains Nature Center in Wichita. This made it necessary to have a statewide contest to decide who had the best team!
• In 2000, the number of regional Eco-Meets more than doubled to seven. In addition to Wichita, Milford, and Wilson, new Eco-Meets were held at Lake Scott, Hays, Hutchinson and Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge. (This was the only year for the Lake Scott event.)
• In 2001, three new Eco-Meets were held at Pittsburg, Salina, and Pratt, bringing the total to nine.
• In 2002, there were eight regionals Eco-Meets.
• In 2003, nine regional Eco-Meets were held as we welcomed Hays back and a new regional at Garden City.
• In 2004, a new Eco-Meets was held in NW Kansas at the Smoky Valley Ranch.
  Nine total regional Eco-Meets were held.
• In 2005, a new Eco-Meet was held in Kansas City at the F.L. Schlagle Library at Wyandotte County Lake. Eight total regional Eco-Meets were held.
• In 2006, seven regional Eco-Meets were held.
• In 2007, seven regional Eco-Meets were held and we welcomed back the event at Greenbush in Southeast Kansas.
• In 2008, eight regional Eco-Meets were held, including a new event in Olathe.
• In 2009, eight regional Eco-Meets were held.
• In 2010-2012, nine regional Eco-Meets were held, after adding a new event in Lawrence.
• In 2013, eight regional Eco-Meets were held.
• In 2014, ten regional Eco-Meets were held.
• In 2015, seven regional Eco-Meets were held.
• In 2016, ten regional Eco-Meets were held.
• In 2017, ten regional Eco-Meets were held.
• In 2018, nine regional Eco-Meets were held.
• In 2019, nine regional Eco-Meets were held.
• In 2020, all Eco-Meets were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• In 2021, all Eco-Meets were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• In 2022, five regional Eco-Meets were held.
• In 2023, six regional Eco-Meets were held.

Thanks to our 2024 State Eco-Meet Sponsors!