“Our experience was Everyone Benefits from that the Canon Envirothon Participation Envirothon offered a unique opportunity for The Envirothon is more than a competition. individual students to bring their fundamental Together with teachers, schools and profession- knowledge and reason- als, we help develop knowledgeable citizens 2 3 5 ing ability together as a 1 4 team to focus on under- who can make informed decisions that affect the standing critical areas of quality of life in our communities. Ultimately, we our environment.” are creating new leaders who will provide the Dr. Lois Blondeau Arizona volunteer advisor vision for our future and well-being. Take Advantage of the Envirothon Today Soils and Land Use Aquatic Ecology Forestry Wildlife Environmental Issues Professional soil scientists Students work alongside Students develop an A favorite for many Challenged by field “I participated in the Both teachers and students enjoy the Envirothon’s in-class help students learn about soil marine and freshwater understanding of the Envirothon participants, professionals, students work Envirothon for three learning that combines hands-on, outdoor activities. Student structure, interpret maps, and biologists to assess the practices for maintaining students learn firsthand from as a team to explore the years and it has been a teams are exposed to scientists and experts in the field who evaluate land forms, and soil quality of delicate aquatic healthy forest ecosystems wildlife experts about animal facets of the current wonderful experience. I coach and guide their learning experience. Teams then compete characteristics that affect ecosystems. They also learn to through the help of populations, their dynamics, environmental issues and have gained years of in local Envirothons and winners advance to state/provincial/ agricultural and development identify aquatic organisms, professional foresters. They and the importance of habitat illustrate the complexity of experience that will defi- territorial contests. Top teams head to the Canon Envirothon, a issues. manage watersheds, and learn the basics of species conservation. real-life environmental nitely help me in college week-long culminating competition hosted by one of the determine non-point source identification, forest structure decisions. and my future career as states/provinces/territories in North America, where over pollution. and dynamics as well as a biologist.” management approaches. Sara LaRose $100,000 in scholarships and prizes are awarded. Maryland student Start on the Local Level First Teachers from science disciplines as well as history and cultural “I know the Envirothon gram, students develop an understanding of effective teamwork, studies participate. Some involve their entire classes, others just makes us use our heads resource management and ecology. At the same time, they gain valu- It’s exciting, educational and fun. advise one or two teams of five members as a club or after- and think through com- able exposure to a range of disciplines and possible career paths. plex issues. I hope the Top Teams Meet at the Canon Envirothon Envirothon keeps grow- ing; it can never reach Competitions from the local and state/provincial/territorial levels to too many people.” the Canon Envirothon test knowledge and skills in an exciting out- Michael Martin door environment. Teams rotate through testing stations where they Kansas student complete written examinations. The oral presentation challenges school activity. Whatever works best. Open to high school teams to work together and communicate their solution to a com- students, a team may be sponsored by a high school, home- plex environmental issue in front of a panel of judges. This presenta- schooled group, agricultural organization, scouts or community tion requires the participation of all team members and comprises a service group. major portion of the team’s score. At the Canon Envirothon, students work hard, but also enjoy them- “The Envirothon is the Teams Are Tested in Five Areas selves at fun scheduled activities. They are introduced to the local most rewarding educa- Early in the year, volunteer advisors begin to coach teams and are environment in training sessions guided by natural resource experts. tional experience I’ve assisted by participating natural resource agencies. Ultimately, The actual competition site typically is revealed on the testing day had in nineteen years of students are tested on their knowledge in five topic areas: soils when teams are scored at the outdoor stations. Then they concen- teaching.” trate on the environmental issue, develop their solution, and prepare and land use; aquatic ecology; forestry; wildlife; and a current Greg Turner environmental issue that changes each year. Through the pro- their oral presentation for judging. Nova Scotia volunteer advisor Develop Tomorrow’s Informed Leaders Educate Future Resource Stewards ation duc Promote Sustainable l E ta Development en Canon Envirothon m n o ir Create Community v n Thousands of teachers Awareness E n i and professionals s throughout the Join the Canon Envirothon r e Today d United States and a e Envirothon Canada guide L About Canon high school stu- dents through an envi- Canon Envirothon ronmental education pro- is made possible gram that combines by generous support from: classroom learning with • outdoor activities. This Canon U.S.A., Inc. exposure to nature from • a critical perspective and National Association of its interrelationship with Conservation Districts human impacts on the • natural world provides United States Forest Service invaluable lessons and develops an understand- ing of ecosystems and our environment. The Canon Envirothon is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to environmental Join Canon Envirothon education of youth in the United States and Join the competition. It is Canada. a fun learning experience One of North America’s that provides for a sus- For information on the Envirothon or Largest High School tainable future for us all. becoming an advisor, volunteer or program sponsor, visit our website at: Environmental Education ENVIROTHON IS ABOUT www.envirothon.org Competitions FUN • SCHOLARSHIPS • OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES • TEAMWORK • CRITICAL THINKING • LEADERSHIP Canon Envirothon P.O. Box 855 League City, Texas 77574-0855 Tel: 800-825-5547 Email: [email protected].