What is the Envirothon?
The Virginia Dominion Energy Envirothon is a team based natural resources competition for high school students. Students who participate learn stewardship and management concepts and work to solve real world environmental problems. The program is field-oriented, community based and gives students an opportunity to work with natural resource professionals. Click Here for a video overview of the Dominion Energy Envirothon competition!
Who makes up a team and what do they do?
Students work in teams of five. 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 Soil & Water Conservation District 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 to address a specific environmental issue they’ve been presented with. The event is competitive but education is the bottom line.
Teams can be created through school clubs, classes, home school groups, 4-H groups, scout troops, local nature centers etc. The only requirement is that the team has a minimum of five students (who are in 9th-12th grade) and one adult advisor/chaperone.
Additional Resources & Information:
- Download the Coaches Handbook
- Check out this video about the Virginia Dominion Envirothon from a Coach’s perspective
- Current Competition
- Learning Objectives/Oral Presentation Problem
- Envirothon Resources
Want to get involved?
For additional information, contact Bonnie Mahl at the VASWCD office at (804) 559-0324 or email: bonnie.mahl@vaswcd.org
Virginia’s Envirothon program is also supported through the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund. Proceeds from the sale of the Bay license plates help citizens keep the bay healthy by restoring wetlands, planting buffers around waterways, promoting marine life restoration, decreasing pollution and providing educational programs like Envirothon. To purchase a Bay license plate visit: http://www.dmv.state.va.us/vehicles/#splates/info.asp?idnm=CB
Information about the Diploma Seal- Science and the Environment, which Envirothon students could earn, can be found here