The Envirothon is a natural resources competition for high school students. The Envirothon began in 1979 in Pennsylvania and is currently the largest event of its type in North America. More than 42 states and five or more Canadian Provinces participate in this educational event each year. In 2018, two teams from China also participated. Five-member teams study provided reference material and participate in hands-on training in soils, aquatics, wildlife, forestry, and a fifth environmental issue that changes from year to year. The winning team earns the right to compete at the next level, be it the state or national event.
The Envirothon provides a fun and exciting way for high school students to learn about natural resources, make informed decisions about the environment, and earn scholarship money for college. The event is a problem-solving competition that challenges students to work collaboratively to answer questions and conduct hands-on projects focusing on natural resource issues. The goal is to increase students’ environmental knowledge and understanding, while also motivating young people to care for the environment by practicing stewardship in their homes, schools, and communities.
The Envirothon combines classroom learning with active field experience in the following five disciplines:
Wildlife – students learn firsthand from wildlife managers about animal populations and dynamics in Maryland and the importance of preserving wildlife habitat.
Forestry – foresters teach students how to identify tree species and determine a tree’s height and age. Students also learn management techniques to assure healthy and productive forestry resources.
Soils – students work alongside soil scientists to learn soil profiling and mapping techniques used to determine soil characteristics important for agricultural and other land use considerations. Students also learn how land-use changes impact soils and peoples’ lives.
Aquatics – fragile underwater ecosystems are explored in detail with marine and freshwater biologists. Students also learn how to make connections between water quality, stream health and wetlands.
The fifth area of interest, the environmental issue – the topic changes from year to year and is chosen by the host of the National event that year. This year’s 5th Issue is “Adapting to a Changing Climate.” Previous topics have included: What is a Watershed?, Natural Resource Management in the Urban Environment, and Preserving the Cultural Landscape.
The Soil Conservation District coordinates and co-hosts the County-level competition with (and is located at) the William S. Schmidt Outdoor Environmental Education Center in Brandywine, Maryland. Two training sessions are held: one in the Fall and one in early Spring, with the event being held in the Spring. Resource Specialists from Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission, the Natural Resources Conservation Service – Maryland, and the Prince George’s County Department of the Environment work with our students throughout the year and during the competition. We are very lucky to have such strong partners in this program!
The MD Envirothon has provided resources and training videos to assist students with their learning of the five topic areas.
Celebrating the 2023 Prince George’s County Envirothon winners!
We are proud to announce that Laurel High School won first-place honors at this year’s Prince George’s County Envirothon. To learn more about the winners and this year’s virtual program, click here.
We appreciate those who give their time and/or financial resources to ensure the success of this program. The Envirothon program, which includes two training sessions and the competition, costs almost $20,000 annually. We need funding for awards, college scholarships, food and beverages, field guides, tools, equipment and training materials, apparel and transportation.
If you are interested in learning more about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Kim Summers. On behalf of our co-host, the Prince George’s County Public Schools’ William S. Schmidt Outdoor Environmental Education Center, we thank you for your support.
Special thanks to our 2024 Envirothon Sponsors!
Past & present supporters of the PGC Envirothon program:
- Arnold Parreco & Sons, Inc. (in-kind support)
- Atwell, LLC. (sponsor)
- Environmental Quality Services, LLC (EQR) (past sponsor)
- Forest Garden Club (sponsor)
- Green Landing Nursery (sponsor)
- Keep Prince George’s County Beautiful (in-kind support)
- Maryland Association of Conservation Districts (grant)
- Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission (Aquatics, Forestry and Wildlife Resource Specialists)
- McHale Landscape Design (sponsor)
- Natural Resources Conservation Service (Soils and Land-Use Resource Specialists)
- Orchard Farms (in-kind support)
- Prince George’s County Department of the Environment (5th Issue Resource Specialists)
- Prince George’s County Farm Bureau (sponsor)
- Prince George’s County Forestry Board (sponsor)
- R&D Cross (sponsor)
- Robin Hill Farm Vineyard (sponsor)
- SMECO (sponsor)
- Tri-County Council for Southern MD/Southern Maryland Ag Development Commission (sponsor)
- UMD Extension (5th Issue Resource Specialists)