Envirothon is an outdoor, natural resource education program for high school students that is organized and coordinated by Conservation Districts. The Kansas Envirothon Committee, a part of the KACD Conservation Youth and Education Committee, oversees the Envirothon activities in Kansas.

In the Envirothon competition, teams of five students work together to complete written tests in five natural resource areas; Forestry, Soils, Aquatics, Wildlife, and a Current Issue, which changes from year to year. An oral presentation related to the current issue topic is the final part of the competition at the State & National Levels. Envirothon events are held at three levels; regional, state, and the North American Envirothon for winning teams from U.S. states and Canadian provinces.

Conservation Districts work with local schools and youth organizations to help put teams together, and may provide materials and training for the students prior to the events. Districts are also encouraged to help with the teams’ expenses, which includes registration fees for the Regional and Kansas Envirothon events.

  One team from each school at the regional competitions are eligible to advance to the Kansas Envirothon that will be held this year on April 27, 2016 in Elmdale at Camp Wood, the winner will go on represent Kansas at the North American Envirothon which this year will be in Peterborough, Canada July 24-29, 2016.

This year’s Regional Competition will be held at Red Rock Ranch in Soldier, KS on April 13, 2016. Conservation District Manager, Dana Schmelzle is seeking teams to represent Nemaha County. Please call Dana at 785-336-2186x110 for more information.