Envirothon Resources

The Virginia Dominion Energy Envirothon program is a natural resource competition for high school students. To learn more about the Envirothon program visit our program page or National Conservation Foundation- Envirothon page. 

  • The following links and resources are shared to assist Envirothon teams preparing for competition.
  • Each area of study is divided into several different key topics, which vary from subject to subject. Underneath these key topics, you will find relevant learning objectives applicable to that topic for the level of testing expected at the  Virginia Dominion  Energy Envirothon and NCF-Envirothon annual international competition-level testing.

**In Feb 2021, NCF-Envirothon adopted new Station Guidelines and Virginia will use these guidelines starting in the 2021-2022 program year.

Please Note:
In an effort to make the Learning Objectives as comprehensive as possible, the overall number of items for each area of study may be quite long! It is important to note, that not every learning objective listed will be used for every competition. These Learning Objectives serve as an overview of the types of knowledge and skills expected of students for the Virginia Dominion Energy Envirothon program and  NCF-Envirothon international level of competition.

Each resource supports the Envirothon learning objectives and information from these items are therefore subject to inclusion on the competition test.  Current issue/Oral presentation problem resources and other station resources are updated on a regular basis.   

Online Training Resources 

Areas of Study-

2021-2022 Current Issue Topic–  “Waste To Resources”

(the Current Issue is determined by the State/Province that is hosting the NCF-Envirothon Competition, Ohio is hosting the 2022 NCF-Envirothon Program, and choose the current issues topic)

Key Topic 1: Landfills and Hazardous Materials
1. Describe different types of landfills and explain how they are regulated.
2. Identify examples of hazardous materials and toxic substances and describe their proper disposal and handling.

Key Topic 2: Reuse, Recycling and Waste Diversion
1. Explain how the practices of reusing or recycling products conserves natural resources.
2. Describe how recycled materials can be repurposed and further diverted from landfills.
3. Explain how waste can be repurposed.

Key Topic 3: Composting and Food Waste
1. Describe composting processes and identify how composting supports waste diversion
efforts.
2. Explain how composting improves soil health and provide evidence for how composting
supports water conservation efforts.
3. Describe the problem of food waste and explain how it impacts the sustainability of the
global food supply.

Key Topic 4: Combustion with Energy Recovery (Waste-to-Energy)
1. Identify examples of closed-loop energy systems and facilities.
2. Compare methods of carbon sequestration and describe their potential as an energy
source.

Key Topic 5: Human and Animal Waste Treatment
1. Evaluate the differences between municipal waste treatment and home sewage
treatment systems.
2. Compare and contrast the methods of waste treatment for human waste versus
animal waste.
3. Describe the impacts to ground and surface waters when fecal waste is not
effectively managed.
4. Identify innovative methods for managing fecal waste to lessen the impact to
natural resources.

Key Topic 6: Brownfields and the Restoration of Degraded Lands
1. Define a brownfield and identify the impacts of brownfield materials on soil and water
quality.
2. Explain methods for removing brownfield toxins and the role of federal and state entities
in restoration.
3. Compare “green” approaches to re-using degraded lands and identify the benefits these
methods provide to local communities.

Other “Waste to Resource” Resources

Aquatics Resources– Updated October 2021

Forestry Resources– Updated October 2021

Soils Resources– Updated October 2021

Wildlife Resources– Updated October 2021

Reach out to maura.christian@vaswcd.org with any questions.