Where did Envirothon get its start?
Envirothon's roots started in Pennsylvania in 1979. Soil and Water Conservation Districts created an Environmental Olympics as a way to encourage high school students to become interested in natural resource conservation, as well as, environmental issues and careers. The program was well received and by 1987, there were 40 teams competing at the Pennsylvania State Envirothon contest, providing greater visibility and interest from neighboring states. In 1988, the program changed its name to Envirothon, and teams from Pennsylvania, Ohio and Massachusetts competed at the first National Envirothon Contest. More states continued to come onboard, and in 1992, a team from Nova Scotia, Canada also competed, making the contest a multi-national event.
Today, Envirothon continues to grow. In 2019, 51 teams from 44 U.S. states and 7 Canadian provinces competed at the North America Envirothon, held at Missouri State University.
Historically, Envirothon funding came from local conservation districts, state conservation committees, state, federal and provincial conservation organizations, and provincial forestry associations. The program was incorporated in Ohio in 1992 for the purpose of introducing an education-based environmental competition. In 1997, Canon U.S.A., Inc. began supporting the Envirothon program, and, in 1999, became the title sponsor until 2013. The North American Envirothon is now a program of the National Conservation Foundation and is referred to as the NCF-Envirothon. Sponsorship for the program is from local conservation districts, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, Forestry Associations, and the National Association of Conservation Districts.
Each year, the Envirothon touches and positively influences the lives of more than 500,000 young people across the country. That number will continue to grow as additional states become involved. More and more inquiries are made of the host state each year. Inquiries have come from around the world including states, provinces, Mexican states, and countries such as Turkey, Japan, and Australia. The Envirothon is truly becoming International in scope. Thanks to dedicated volunteers, staff of cooperating agencies, teachers and advisors, enthusiastic students, and valuable support from sponsors, the Envirothon has proven to be an exciting and useful tool for incorporating environmental education into high school classrooms.
In 2016, Indiana celebrated its 25th anniversary of participating in this renowned event for high school students by hosting seven regional contests and one state competition.
In 2020, for the first time in its history, the Indiana State Envirothon, many regional competitions, and the NCF Envirothon National Competition had to cancel due to the timing of the coronavirus outbreak. Due to the pandemic, the 2021 competition was virtual in Indiana and across the nation. Many new resources were made available as the times changed with the demand of a new environment that maintained social distancing and prioritized the health of our participants. As in nature, we adapt to the changing environment so that we can thrive in the new world.
Envirothon's roots started in Pennsylvania in 1979. Soil and Water Conservation Districts created an Environmental Olympics as a way to encourage high school students to become interested in natural resource conservation, as well as, environmental issues and careers. The program was well received and by 1987, there were 40 teams competing at the Pennsylvania State Envirothon contest, providing greater visibility and interest from neighboring states. In 1988, the program changed its name to Envirothon, and teams from Pennsylvania, Ohio and Massachusetts competed at the first National Envirothon Contest. More states continued to come onboard, and in 1992, a team from Nova Scotia, Canada also competed, making the contest a multi-national event.
Today, Envirothon continues to grow. In 2019, 51 teams from 44 U.S. states and 7 Canadian provinces competed at the North America Envirothon, held at Missouri State University.
Historically, Envirothon funding came from local conservation districts, state conservation committees, state, federal and provincial conservation organizations, and provincial forestry associations. The program was incorporated in Ohio in 1992 for the purpose of introducing an education-based environmental competition. In 1997, Canon U.S.A., Inc. began supporting the Envirothon program, and, in 1999, became the title sponsor until 2013. The North American Envirothon is now a program of the National Conservation Foundation and is referred to as the NCF-Envirothon. Sponsorship for the program is from local conservation districts, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, Forestry Associations, and the National Association of Conservation Districts.
Each year, the Envirothon touches and positively influences the lives of more than 500,000 young people across the country. That number will continue to grow as additional states become involved. More and more inquiries are made of the host state each year. Inquiries have come from around the world including states, provinces, Mexican states, and countries such as Turkey, Japan, and Australia. The Envirothon is truly becoming International in scope. Thanks to dedicated volunteers, staff of cooperating agencies, teachers and advisors, enthusiastic students, and valuable support from sponsors, the Envirothon has proven to be an exciting and useful tool for incorporating environmental education into high school classrooms.
In 2016, Indiana celebrated its 25th anniversary of participating in this renowned event for high school students by hosting seven regional contests and one state competition.
In 2020, for the first time in its history, the Indiana State Envirothon, many regional competitions, and the NCF Envirothon National Competition had to cancel due to the timing of the coronavirus outbreak. Due to the pandemic, the 2021 competition was virtual in Indiana and across the nation. Many new resources were made available as the times changed with the demand of a new environment that maintained social distancing and prioritized the health of our participants. As in nature, we adapt to the changing environment so that we can thrive in the new world.
Current Issue History
For a complete list of the previous NCF - Envirothon Current Issue Topics, click here.
For a complete list of the previous NCF - Envirothon Current Issue Topics, click here.
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Current Indiana Envirothon Committee Officers
President vacant Acting President and Vice President Teddie Mower, trphilli@indiana.edu Secretary/Treasurer Judi Brown, DuBois County SWCD, judi.brown@in.nacdnet.net 
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Previous Indiana Envirothon Committee Officers
Presidents Nicole Messacar Jan Came Darci Zolman Rebecca Lauster Amy Carpenter Vice Presidents Ginger Davis Jan Came Ann Ice Brad Rody Rebecca Lauster Kris (Streb) Vance Secretary Jeri Ziliak Ann Ice Norma Duckworth Leah Harmon Treasurer Jeri Ziliak Leah Harmon Ann Ice Norma Duckworth |