Illinois Envirothon

Illinois Envirothon

Sponsored by the Association of Illinois Soil
and Water Conservation Districts and Conservation Partners

See the 2007 Envirothon Winners

What is the Envirothon?

The Envirothon is a natural resource education program sponsored by local Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) for high school students. The Envirothon emphasizes hands-on, team oriented problem-solving skills. The team is tested on their knowledge in the areas of Aquatics, Forestry, Soils, Wildlife and a current environmental issue that changes each year.

How it Works

Five member teams, representing a school or organization, are formed. Long before the competition starts, teams begin by studying resource material to learn the fundamentals of each category. At the competitions, students visit in-the-field test stations where presentations are given by resource professionals. They are challenged to work as teams to answer written questions and conduct hands-on problem solving situations focusing on each of the five environmental areas. The program is competitive but learning is the bottom line.

" The knowledge these students gain today will assist them in decision making for tomorrow."

Competitions

The Illinois Envirothon began in 1995 and has continued to grow throughout the state. Local SWCDs and Land Use Councils (LUCs), in conjunction with partnership organizations and educators, organize local competitions in early to mid-April. The highest scoring team from each of the 16 LUCs (each council is made up of 5-8 SWCDs) advance on to the state competition held in early May.The state winning team will represent Illinois at the Canon Envirothon® in August. The competition is held at a different location in North America each year . Teams making it to the international competition will compete for $30,000 in scholarships and prizes.

2008 5^th Category – "Recreational Impacts on Natural Resources”

Background information on the 5th category can be found at the Canon Envirothon website Click Here

Click here to get Adobe Reader for the files below

AQUATICS
The students will need to learn about watersheds, wetlands, water quality, aquatic organisms, fishing rules and regulations, water safety and identification of fish species.

	Current Aquatic learning objectives for Illinois (pdf format)
	Illinois envirothon aquatic resources (pdf format)

FORESTRY
The Forestry objectives cover such materials as: general forest management practices, how to determine the number of board feet in standing timber, how to read a topographic map, and how to identify different tree species.

	Current Forestry learning objectives for Illinois (pdf format)
	Illinois State envirothons forestry resources (pdf format)

SOILS
Students will learn the different structures and textures of soil and how to best manage these soil types. Learning how to use a soil survey, locating the different horizons in a soil profile and determining land slopes will also be covered in the Soils learning objectives.

	Current soils learning objectives for Illinois (pdf format)
	Illinois Envirothon soil resources (pdf format)

WILDLIFE
The Wildlife category covers rules and regulations of hunting; how to identify animals by track, pelt and scat; the use of best management practices of habitat; knowledge of Illinois’ endangered and threatened species and the use of trapping and hunting as tools of wildlife management.

	Current wildlife learning objectives for Illinois (pdf format)
	Illinois state envirothon wildlife resources (pdf format)

CURRENT ISSUES
The current environmental issue changes from year-to-year and is chosen by the Canon Envirothon® Committee. The issue is one of concern to the state or province that hosts the Canon Envirothon® competition. In Illinois students will develop a problem solving oral presentation dealing with the current issue .

	IL Resource Packet (pdf format)

If you would like to become involved with the Illinois Envirothon contact your local Soil and Water Conservation District or the Illinois Envirothon. Volunteers and sponsors are essential at all levels of the competition. You can assist with test scoring, be a team guide or help provide funds to send your local team to the State or International competition.

2006 Envirothon Winners

2005 Envirothon Winners

2004 Envirothon Winners

Land Use Council Contact Information

Listing of LUC Envirothon Competition Dates

For More Information Contact:
Illinois Envirothon 4285 North Walnut Street Road
Springfield, IL 62707
Phone: 217-744-3414
Fax: 217-744-3420

The Illinois and Canon Envirothon are offered and operated on a nondiscriminatory bases without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status or physical/mental challenges.