HARRISONBURG HIGH SCHOOL WINS 2007 VIRGINIA ENVIROTHON & PLACES 6th AT CANON ENVIROTHON

 

What is the Envirothon?

The Virginia Envirothon is a natural resources competition for high school students. Students who participate learn stewardship and management concepts and work to solve real and hypothetical environmental problems. The program is field oriented, community based and gives students an opportunity to work with natural resource professionals.

Envirothon would like to thank its sponsors for their support. Especially VMA Outreach (An Affiliate of Virginia Manufacturers Association).

List of Sponsors

 

Envirothon Information:

Who makes up a team and what do they do?

Students work in teams of five students. Throughout the school year students prepare to compete at the local level, qualify to then compete at the area level, and the top three teams from the six areas in the state compete to be the State Winner. These teams of high school students are tested on their knowledge of natural resources - soils, forestry, wildlife, aquatics and a current environmental issue. Students visit five "in-the-field" test stations where written and hands-on problem solving is required along with an oral presentation formulating a strategy for addressing an environmental issues problem. The event is competitive, but education is the bottom line.

Objectives

Participants gain a deeper knowledge of the following:

  • The effect individual actions have on environmental problems;
  • The interactions and inter-dependencies of our environment;
  • Current environmental issues;
  • The agencies available to assist them in resource protection concerns;
  • The need to become environmentally aware, action-oriented adults.

2008 State Registration Forms

Learning Objectives & Sample Questions

2008 Special Issue

 

2008 Presentation Problem

 

2009 Information

 

Contest & Workshop Dates

Envirothon Resource Trunks

Envirothon Reference Guide

 

Envirothon Study Materials 

(developed from former Envirothon Coach)

Press Release & Winners Page

Who to Contact/How to Help

Participation in Envirothon encourages life skills like team-building, critical thinking, decision making, problem solving and communications skills.

Competitions

The Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, a non-profit association, coordinates the state program. Virginia’s 47 local soil and water conservation districts (SWCDs) sponsor local programs. Winners at the local level advance to area and state competitions. The state winner represents Virginia in the National Envirothon. During 2007, the Virginia Envirothon has:

  • WON 2006 CANON ENVIROTHON
  • Been Incorporated into 130 high school classrooms
  • Reached 600 students
  • Involved 36 Soil and Water Conservation Districts
  • Gained participation from 5 State Agencies
  • Involved 300 volunteers

Special thanks to Congressman Virgil Goode for welcoming the 2007 Envirothon Program to Smith Mountain Lake. He is pictured above with 2006 Canon Envirothon Champions, Ryan Bugas and Kate Abshire.  

Background

The Envirothon was started in 1979 by three Pennsylvania soil and water conservation districts. By 1988, the idea had caught on and the first national contest was held. Teams from 42 states and 4 Canadian provinces competed in the 1999 Canon North American Envirothon held in California. Virginia’s program started in 1995 with 12 teams participating at the state level. By 1997 more than 100 teams participated statewide. In 2006, the Virginia Team won the Canon Envirothon Competition out of 52 teams. Each team member received a $5,000 college scholarship.

Want to get involved?

Contact the Virginia Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts, 7308 Hanover Green Dr., Suite 100, Mechanicsville, VA 23111, phone: (804) 559-0324, fax: (804) 559-0325.

Canon Envirothon Website: http://www.envirothon.org/ 

Virginia Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts
7308 Hanover Green Drive, Suite 100
Mechanicsville, Virginia 23111
Office - (804) 559-0324
Fax - (804) 559-0325
2006.  All rights reserved.