2013 ENVIROTHON TOPIC
'Sustainable Grass and Pastureland Management: Achieving a balance between Traditional Agricultural Uses with Non-Agricultural Uses.’
***IMPORTANT RESOURCE LINKS***
*The following link takes you to the topic that all VA teams will use to create their oral presentation for the Virginia Dominion Envirothon:
Virginia's Oral Presentation Problem - 2013
***IMPORTANT RESOURCE LINKS***
*The following link takes you to the topic that all VA teams will use to create their oral presentation for the Virginia Dominion Envirothon:
Virginia's Oral Presentation Problem - 2013
*The following link takes you to the VASWCD webpage with learning objectives and Oral Problem Resources:
Virginia's Envirothon Learning Objectives - 2013
Virginia's Envirothon Learning Objectives - 2013
*The following link takes you to the VASWCD webpage with additional study resources:
Envirothon Resources - 2013
Envirothon Resources - 2013
ENVIROTHON COMPETITION
WHAT IS THE ENVIROTHON?
CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT!
The Virginia Envirothon is a natural resources competition for high school students. Students who participate learn stewardship and management concepts and work to solve real and hypothetical environmental problems. The program is field-oriented, community based and gives students an opportunity to work with natural resource professionals.
WHO MAKES UP A TEAM & WHAT DO THEY DO?
Students work in teams of five students. 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 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 for addressing an environmental issues problem. The event is competitive, but education is the bottom line.
COMPETITIONS
The Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, a non-profit association, coordinates the state program. Virginia’s 47 local soil and water conservation districts (SWCDs) sponsor local programs. Winners at the local level advance to area and state competitions. The state winner represents Virginia in the National Envirothon.
BACKGROUND
The Envirothon was started in 1979 by three Pennsylvania soil and water conservation districts. By 1988, the idea had caught on and the first national contest was held. Teams from 42 states and 4 Canadian provinces competed in the 1999 Canon Envirothon held in California. Virginia’s program started in 1995 with 12 teams participating at the state level. By 1997 more than 100 teams participated statewide. The state contest, a day and a half event, is held in a different location each year. Virginia’s teams have shown great success in the Canon competition over the years. Virginia has placed in the top ten for the past six years. In 2006, Virginia’s team placed first overall out of teams from across the U.S. and Canada.
WASHINGTON COUNTY TEAMS
Holston High School - Damascus, VA
Patrick Henry High School - Glade Spring, VA
John Battle High School - Bristol, VA
CONTACT CHRISTINE HANNEN TO ORGANIZE A TEAM!
