Envirothon

The Envirothon is a competition for high school students that tests their knowledge and promotes the use of problem solving skills in the areas of natural resources.

The competition consists of five test stations. These test stations cover the natural resource areas of:

• Soils

• Forestry

• Aquatics

• Wildlife

• Current Environmental Issue

The teams are made up of five members and an alternate, grades 9 through 12, from Howard County. The teams study through the school year preparing for the Envirothon. Individuals from public agencies as well as the private sector, in the fields of forestry, wildlife, soils, aquatics and the current environmental issue, serve as resources for the teams. These resource people offer their expertise and time to the students to help them get a better understanding of the environment around them.As a team the students compete by applying their knowledge, communication and problem solving skills. The teams are scored at each station and the team with the highest cumulative score advances to the state competition. This three-day event allows students to gain additional training as well as share their knowledge with their peers. Teams come from nineteen counties to participate in the Maryland Envirothon.

The winning team from the state competition then represents Maryland at the National Envirothon. This is a five-day event in which students once again are able to increase their knowledge and skills.

Canon U.S.A. Inc is a sponsor of the National Envirothon and funds The Canon National Envirothon Scholarship Program. These college scholarships are awarded as follows:

$5,000 per student for 1st place

$4,000 per student for 2nd place

$3,000 per student for 3rd place

$2,000 per student for 4th place

$1,000 per student for 5th place

Howard County not only offers this opportunity to high school students but also to middle school students. The Howard County Junior Envirothon, modeled after the Envirothon, consists of four hands on stations:

• Soils

• Forestry

• Wildlife

• Aquatics

This event is activity based. Not only are the students scored on the correct answer and how they reach it, but also how they work as a team. The Howard County Junior Envirothon encourages teamwork as the students work together to solve problems and complete activities.

The Envirothon started in one Pennsylvania county back in 1979. Today it has reached to 45 states, 4 Canadian Provinces and Turkey.

The Envirothon creates an opportunity for today’s youth, tomorrow’s leaders to come together and build relationships as well as further their knowledge and skills. It fosters their appreciation and respect for the environment.

If you are interested in participating or have any questions concerning the Envirothon, or Junior Envirothon, please contact Kristal McCormick, Howard County Envirothon Coordinator, by phone (410) 489-7987 or email kmccormick@howardcountymd.gov .