YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — What is the National Conservation Foundation — Area II Envirothon? Envirothon is designed to stimulate, reinforce and enhance interest in the environment and natural resources among high school students. A competitive outdoor team event, Envirothon offers a unique and enjoyable learning experience. A team consists of five students, all from the same school. An adult advisor (or advisors) must accompany the team, but is not permitted to assist the team during the competition.
Envirothon tests students’ knowledge of soils, forestry, wildlife, aquatic ecology and current environmental issues. This year’s current environmental issue is “Western Rangeland.” In addition, the Envirothon encourages cooperative decision-making and team building. While each student on an Envirothon team is challenged to contribute his or her personal best, the score that counts at the end of an Envirothon is the team score.
Five Area Envirothons are conducted around Ohio each spring. The top four teams from each of the Area competitions progress to the Ohio Envirothon in June held in a different part of the state each year. The top-scoring team in the Ohio Envirothon is eligible to compete in the National Conservation Foundation — Envirothon, hosted by a different state or Canadian province every year. For more information, go to www.envirothon.org.
In Ohio, Envirothon is sponsored by the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts in cooperation with the Ohio Department of Agriculture. Natural resource and environmental specialists from many agencies, organizations, colleges, universities, park districts and businesses devise the Envirothon questions and staff the various testing ecostations.
The Ohio Envirothon is financed by grants, donations from businesses and through contributions to the Don Rehl Memorial Envirothon Fund. Many local businesses also provide services and products in support of Area and Ohio Envirothons. If you are a teacher in Mahoning County, go to www.swcd.mahoningcountyoh.gov to download the registration forms or call the office at 330-740-7995.
— Mahoning Soil and Water Conservation District