Envirothon Delaware Soil and Water Conservation District Dona Rhea, Conservation Educator

2016 Competition April 26 th at Camp Oyo In West Portsmouth, Ohio 2016 Contest Location

Envirothon is… An outdoor high school team competition for 5 students from the same school It tests knowledge and skills in the areas of aquatics, forestry, soils, wildlife, and current environmental issues There are 4 testing stations set up in an ecostation approach with questions from all 5 subject areas at each station Sponsored by Soil and Water Conservation Districts FOR MORE NFO...

Testing There are 25 questions at each station The questions are multiple choice Some questions are hands-on and site specific (example: ID trees) Students work collaboratively to answer the questions

Aquatics Aquatics tests the identification and interrelationships of macroinvertebrates, aquatic plants, fish and other members of the aquatic community. Management strategies of surface and ground water resources, food chains and other relationships may also be tested.

Forestry A test of tree identification, tree uses, tree anatomy, growth and development (measurement of tree height and diameter) and proper management of a woodlands.

Soils Soils questions refer to the origin and nature (texture, composition, etc.) of soil, soil survey, soil pit, and general uses, conservation and restrictions of soils.

Wildlife FOR MORE INFO... Wildlife tests on the identification of skins, skulls, and nesting boxes. Hunting, trapping, and habitat management for certain animal species may also be questioned.

Current Environmental Issues. Specific questions about current topics, such as pollution, wetlands, fires, etc will be at each ecostation. The 2016 topic is “Invasive Species”. The topic changes annually.

The Competition SWCD Area contest – April 26 th –Teams from high schools in 17 counties in central and southern Ohio Ohio Envirothon – June 13 th – 14 th –The top 4 teams from the area competition will compete in this state contest in June NCF Envirothon – July 24 th – 29 th –The top Ohio team will compete with teams from the US, Canada and Mexico

Envirothon Goals Develop critical thinking and problem solving skills about natural resources Stimulate, reinforce, and enhance interest in environmental sciences A chance for high school students to work together as a team An opportunity to meet other students interested in the environment Time to meet professionals in different environmental fields

Envirothon Resources The tests are written by local resource professionals in each of the content areas They use publications from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the Natural Resources Conservation Service Other resources are listed on the Envirothon website: