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Virginia’s Dominion Energy Envirothon
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Envirothon History
WHAT IS THE ENVIROTHON?
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 and 2019, Virginia’s team placed first overall out of teams from across the U.S. and Canada.
Beginning with the 2011-2012 Envirothon program, Dominion Resources became the flagship supporter of the program. (Press Release) Fueled by Dominion Resource’s generous sponsorship, the Envirothon program will undoubtedly continue to grow. Cindy Balderson, Philanthropy Manager for Dominion Power and The Dominion Foundation shared the excitement of the new partnership stating, “We believe the students’ participation in Envirothon activities will prepare them for college and beyond, as they study environmental issues and become advocates and stewards of our natural resources.
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 and 2019, Virginia’s team placed first overall out of teams from across the U.S. and Canada.
Beginning with the 2011-2012 Envirothon program, Dominion Resources became the flagship supporter of the program. (Press Release) Fueled by Dominion Resource’s generous sponsorship, the Envirothon program will undoubtedly continue to grow. Cindy Balderson, Philanthropy Manager for Dominion Power and The Dominion Foundation shared the excitement of the new partnership stating, “We believe the students’ participation in Envirothon activities will prepare them for college and beyond, as they study environmental issues and become advocates and stewards of our natural resources.
