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 in studying and preparing for the 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.
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.
**In Feb 2021, NCF-Envirothon adopted new Station Guidelines and Virginia will use these guidelines starting in the 2021-2022 program year.
Online Training Resources
Areas of Study-
Current Issue: “Adapting to Climate Change” Learning Objectives–
(the Current Issue is determined by the State/Province that is hosting the NCF-Envirothon Competition, New Brunswick, Canada is hosting the 2023 NCF-Envirothon Program, and choose the topic of the current issue)
- FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO CLIMATE CHANGE
- MEASURING & MONITORING A CHANGING CLIMATE
- RISKS & IMPACTS TO NATURAL RESOURCES & SOCIETY FROM A CHANGING CLIMATE
- Climate Impacts on Ecosystem
- Impacts to Canadian Agriculture from Climate Changes
- Impacts on Ecosystems and Fisheries
- 5 Ways Climate Change Impacts Forests
- How Climate Change Impacts the Economy
- This is How Climate Change Could Impact the Global Economy
- Earth Observations to Mitigate Impacts of Climate Change and Support Sustainable Business Decisions
- Social Dimensions of Climate Change
- The Disproportionate Impact of Climate Change on Indigenous Communities
- Southeast Asia to Bear the Brunt of Worsening Global Climate, IPCC Warns
- Climate Change Triggers Mounting Food Insecurity, Poverty, and Displacement in Africa
- POLICIES & PROGRAMS FOR ADAPTING TO A CHANGING CLIMATE
- VIDEO: UN Sustainable Development Goals –Overview (2 min)
- Federal Adaptation Policy Framework for Climate Change
- Memorandum of Cooperation between the Government of Canada and the Government of the State of California of the United States of America concerning Climate Action and Nature Protection
- How Can Technology Help Combat Climate Change
- Carbon Sequestration
- A Profile of the Natural Resource Sector in New Brunswick
- Atlantic Provinces, Regional Perspectives Report
- Perspectives on Canada’s East Coast region; in Canada’s Marine Coasts in a Changing Climate
- Climate Change: Impacts on Forests
- Canada’s Partnership with Indigenous Peoples on Climate
- Renewable Energy Brings About Improvements in People’s Livelihoods and Helps Fight Climate Change
Virginia-Specific Resouces:
- Virginia Institute of Marine Science- Center for Coastal Resource Management
- AdaptVA– an information gateway on climate change adaptation for individuals, local programs, and agencies.
- Commonwealth Center for Recurrent Flooding Resiliency
- Georgetown Climate Center
- Resilient Virginia
- Virginia Academy of Science, Engineering, & Medicine- Impact of Climate Change on Virginia’s Coastal Areas
- Climate Change in the Chesapeake Bay
Other Helpful Resources
- PBS Video- Interpreting Earth’s Climate Record I Decoding the Weather Machine
- Climate Crash Course- self-paced learning modules
- Climate Literacy Quiz
- Video- How We Fix the Climate– topics such as Carbon Pricing, decarbonizing industries, cap & trade
- NASA Climate data & educational tools
- For Fun 🙂 Climate Change online games
Aquatics Ecology Learning Objectives– Updated October 2021
- HYDROSPHERE
- ABCs of Hydrogeology– hydrologic cycle, aquifers, water table, groundwater, recharge
- Water Properties
- Physical Characteristics of the Chesapeake Bay– freshwater vs saltwater, estuaries
- Wetlands
- AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
- Structure of Aquatic Ecosystem
- Aquatic Ecology- species, communities, productivity, energy & food, trophic levels
- What Factors Determine the Carrying Capacity of an Ecosystem?
- Aquatic Symbiotic Relationships
- The Importance of Groundwater
- Lake Aging, Trophic Catagories, Eutrophication
- Stream Order Video – Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission
- Watersheds and Drainage Basins
- Biogeochemical cycles- carbon, nitrogen
- Lake Stratification and Mixing
- Stream/River Geomorphology
- ORGANISMS
- Virginia’s Wildlife– fish, amphibians, and other aquatic life
- Stream Insects and Crustaceans, Save Our Streams, Izaak Walton League
- Major Characteristics of Fish Video– Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission
- Freshwater Fish– major characteristics and behaviors
- Select Freshwater Fish Families (identification)
- Aquatic Insects
- Freshwater Mussels
- Anadromy vs Catadromy
- AQUATICS AND SOCIETY
- Chesapeake Bay Facts- National Parks Service
- Virginia’s Major Watersheds- Department of Conservation & Recreation
- Virginia’s Watersheds- DWR maps
- Why Is Aquatic Biodiversity Declining?
- How Can We Help Protect our Water Resources?– human & natural impacts on water quality
- key stakeholders, agencies, and organizations:
- Hypoxia & Anoxia – Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
- Eutrophication
- Best Management Practices
- Ocean Acidification
- FIELD SKILLS
- Watershed Deliniation
- Dichotomous Key to Stream Macroinvertebrates
- Macroinvertebrate ID: Save our Streams Video
- Biotic Index video
- Aquatic Invasive Species
- Interpreting Your Water Report
- Video- Manual Watershed Delineation Explained
- Water Budget & Components of the Hydrologic Cycle
- Hydrographs– National Weather Service
- links updated 8/2022
Forestry Learning Objectives Updated October 2021
- 2022-2023 Test Point Distribution:
- 15% Forest Biology
- 20% Forest/Grassland Ecology
- 20% Plant Communities
- 30% Forest and Society
- 15% Forest Skills
- PLANT BIOLOGY
- Anatomy of a Tree
- Plant Anatomy and Morphology Video
- Reforestation Glossary – forest reproduction, life cycle terms
- Tree Adaptations
- Tree Physiology– Michigan University Extension, function of plant parts, tree growth, adaptations, Photosynthesis
- VDOF Educational Links – basic tree identification
- Angiosperm vs Gymnosperm
- Monocot vs Dicot
- Dendrochronology
- FOREST/GRASSLAND ECOLOGY
- PLANT COMMUNITIES
- Where Do Trees Grow?- click through to learn major types of forests, forest ecosystems, organisms, what shapes the forest? (fire), biodiversity in forests & more
- Forest Succession
- Erosion 101
- Nutrient Cycling
- Plants & the Water Cycle
- Landscape Ecology- Virginia Natural Landscape Assessment, DCR– habitat biodiversity, connectivity, conditions
- FOREST & SOCIETY
- Virginia’s Forest Resources – natural resources, economic benefits, ecosystem services
- In addition to Timber, Pulpwood, & Fuel Pellets- review the following “Non-Timber Forest Products“
- Our Forests Are Changing, Society of American Forestry
- Climate Impacts on Forests
- History of Forestry
- National Forest Laws & Regulations
- Virginia State and Private Forestry Fact Sheet 2022
- Forest Harvesting & Management Methods
- What Is a Silvicultural System?
- Riparian Forest Buffers, VDOF– example of BMP
- Forestry Best Management Practices for Water Quality, VDOF Technical Guide
- Urban Forests
- Best Management Practices for Water Quality– video
- Grazing & Rangelands
- Native American Contributions
- Virginia’s Forest Resources – natural resources, economic benefits, ecosystem services
- FIELD SKILLS
- Bark Types VDOF
- Virginia Tech Dendrology – clickable Dichotomous Key ID
- Forestry Handouts– Forest units of measurement, hardwood management, forest health
- Common Native Trees of Virginia-VDOF This should serve as a complete list of ‘trees to know’ when studying for Virginia’s Forestry station.
- Winter Tree ID in Virginia’s Piedmont video
- 15 Minutes in the Forest: Tree ID Beyond Basics Video– Virginia Forest Landowner Education Program
- Log Volume & Merchandizing video
- Common Insects and Diseases in Virginia’s Forests (teams should be knowledgeable about Emerald Ash Borer, Spongey Moth, Laurel Wilt, Oak Decline, Southern Pine Beetle, Spotted Lanternfly, & Thousand Cankers Disease)
- National 4-H Forestry Invitational Training Handbook
- Virginia 4-H Natural Resources & Environmental Education
- Forest Soils & Site Index
- Virginia State of the Forest Report 2020
- links updated 11/2022
Soils Learning Objectives– Updated October 2021
- GEOLOGY
- Basic Soil Science
- Virginia Soils Webinar – The Fascinating things about soils in Virginia
- Virginia Soils Webinar – Geomorphology (landforms) of Virginia
- Virginia Soils Webinar – Basic geology and related parent materials
- Virginia Soils Webinar – Chemical weathering of soils and parent materials
- Three Types of Rocks
- Earth’s Layers
- Soils of Virginia– by region, influence on topography
- Types of Weathering
- SOIL STRUCTURE & FUNCTION
- NRCS- Soil Formation and Classification
- Types of Parent Material
- Soil Forming Process & layers
- The Twelve Orders of Soil Taxonomy
- Virginia Soils Webinar – Soil Structure and its Importance
- Soil Properties– physical & chemical properties, soil structure, pH
- Building Healthy Soils– improvements and changes to soil
- Soil & Soil Water Relationships– pores, drainage classifications, water capacity, & impacts
- Erosion 101
- Soil Compaction
- Prime Farmland designation
- Indicators of Hydric Soils in the U.S.
- SOIL ECOLOGY
- SOIL, LAND USE, & SOCIETY
- Environmental Justice History
- Cultural Practices to Maintain Soil Quality and Address Climate Change
- NRCS Virginia Soils
- Urban Soils
- Fossils of Virginia
- Development in Floodplains – bad for people and wildlife
- Climate Influences Soil
- Soil Quality – PennState Extension
- Honoring 86 Year of NRCS- a Brief History
- FIELD SKILLS
- The Clinometer to Measure Slope Info Sheet
- Virginia Soils Webinar – Soil colors and what they mean
- Soil Texturing, NRCS– guide to texture by feel & soil texture triangle
- Soil Quality Indicators
- NRCS From the Surface Down– soil surveys
- Land Judging and Soil Evaluation, Virginia Tech
- Best Management Practices
- Land Capability Class
- Drainage Class
- links updated 8/2022
Wildlife Learning Objectives– Updated October 2021
- Wildlife Term Glossary – NCF Envirothon
- WILDLIFE BIOLOGY
- WILDLIFE ECOLOGY
- Wildlife Habitat
- Ecology Levels & Population – video (ecosystem organization, abiotic vs biotic factors, population growth)
- Symbiotic Relationships
- Common Wildlife Diseases
- Carrying Capacity
- Demographic Parameters – The Basics of Population Dynamics
- Food Webs & Trophic Levels– Video
- Toxics in the Food Web– bioaccumulation, biomagnification, especially in sea organisms
- Intro- Organization of Ecosystems
- Advanced- The Natural Communities of Virginia; Classification of Ecological Groups & Community Types DCR
- Ecological Niches– Virginiaplaces.org
- Habitat Characteristics Important to Wildlife– succession, structure, special habitat features
- Impact of fragmentation, edge effect,..
- Major Migratory Flyways
- Pollinators
- WILDLIFE, CONSERVATION, & SOCIETY
- Migratory Bird Program
- Virginia Endangered & Threatened Species List
- Hunting and Trapping in Virginia, July 2021-June 2022– VADWR
- Managing Fish Populations– harvesting & record keeping
- General Hunting and Fishing Regulations
- Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Regulations
- Virginia Game Regulations
- Virginia Freshwater Fishing Regulations
- Conservation vs. Preservation and the National Park Service
- America’s Public Lands Explained
- Conservation Technology
- Conservation Hall of Fame– historical figures
- FIELD SKILLS
- links updated 8/2022
Reach out to maura.christian@vaswcd.org with any questions.