What is the Envirothon?

The Envirothon is North America’s largest high school environmental education competition.  In North Carolina, the Envirothon begins at the regional level where 5-member middle & high school teams participate in classroom learning and outdoor field explorations.  At the Area 4 Envirothon, teams from 11 counties compete for the top seven scores that earn them the privilege to advance to the state level.  The NC Envirothon determines the State Champion high school team that represents North Carolina amongst the best teams from

50 U.S. states and 8 Canadian provinces.  All three levels of Envirothon competition involve five written exams that challenge young people's knowledge of ecology, environmental issues and natural resources management. 

What content does the Envirothon cover?

The Envirothon focuses on five subject areas:

Soils / Land Use – formation, morphology, characteristics, chemical & physical properties, classifications, erosion,

soil surveys, site suitability, nutrient cycles, current issues, soil  & water conservation, best management practices (BMPs)

              Aquatic Ecology – water cycle, chemical & physical properties of water, aquatic ecology, i.d. of aquatic plants &  

               macroinvertebrates, aquifers, wetlands, current issues, watershed management, point/nonpoint source pollution, BMPs

                Forestry - tree i.d., forest types & communities, forest ecology, forest development & succession, forest measurements,

              pests & diseases, current issues, economic/social/ecological influences, silvicultural & forest management, BMPs

Wildlife – i.d. of common species & signs, survival needs, habitat components, adaptations, limiting factors, food chains,

food webs, non-native species, current issues, threatened & endangered species, wildlife biology & management, BMPs

                 Current Environmental Issues – issue analysis, i.d. impacts and ecological, socio-economic & technological implications,

              recommend BMPs & options to minimizes/prevent impact on natural resources and build consensus among key stakeholders

What is the Area IV Envirothon?

The Area IV Envirothon is the regional qualifying competition for the North Carolina Envirothon.  The Area IV Envirothon is hosted each year by the various eleven counties that make up the region.  In 2010, the Area IV Envirothon will be held at

Quail Roost Farm in Durham, NC.   For more information vist the Area IV Envirothon website at www.area4envirothon.org.

 

What do Area 4 Envirothon teams win?

The three top-scoring middle & high school teams are recognized with engraved plaques and "Topic Expert" medallions.  The 1^st Place high school team receives college scholarships for each member.  To date, a total of $1,800.00 in college scholarships has been awarded. 

How does the Area 4 Envirothon benefit young people?

High school students gain valuable insights and experience with:

1.      Team work, accountability, & human diversity

2.      Resource professionals & career opportunities

3.      Natural resource information & best management practices

4.      Environmental problems & solutions

5.      Current environmental issues & different perspectives

6.      Outdoor field excursions & environmental explorations

7.      A science curriculum with real world meaning & relevance

Where can I get more information?

For additional information, please visit these websites:  Area 4 Envirothon at http://www.area4envirothon.org,

NC Envirothon at http://www.ncenvirothon.org, and Canon North American Envirothon at http://www.envirothon.org