The Minnesota Envirothon works in partnership with local Soil and Water Conservation Districts, conservation organizations, educators, and other natural resource agencies.

In Minnesota, teams participate in the regional competition (9 in all) and the state competition. The State Envirothon (with 27 teams of 5 students each competing) is the culminating event of regional Envirothons organized by the state’s Soil and Water Conservation Districts. The top three teams attend the state competition. The State Envirothon winner participates in the Canon Envirothon and is eligible to compete for recognition, scholarships, and prizes.

When did the program start?

The Envirothon program started in 1979 in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts sponsored the program as an outdoor hands-on competition. Minnesota held its first Envirothon in 1993 with 100 students from the Twin Cities area participating. The following year, several Soil and Water Conservation Districts organized area competitions. By 1996, all districts held area competitions. Now, up to 1,200 students participate throughout the state.

What are the benefits of participating?

Benefits can be seen at several levels. First, the program provides a unique learning opportunity for students. It promotes a desire for students to learn more about the natural environment and gives them skills to apply basic principles and practices of resource management and ecology. Additionally, the program promotes stewardship of natural resources and helps students develop critical thinking skills, cooperative problem-solving skills, and decision-making skills. Schools and teachers benefit by providing a learning opportunity to students who excel in the sciences and ecology. The community and state benefit by having concerned and well-informed citizens who can make good decisions about the environment.

How can my school be involved?

• Contact Martin SWCD and tell us that you are interested in forming a team. We can help you get started. There are no dues or registration fees. Some Areas do provide stipends for teams that go to the State Envirothon. Otherwise, teams are required to cover their own expenses for travel and overnight accommodations for area competitions and the State Envirothon.

• Organize your team. Advisors usually find members from science clubs, advanced biology courses, environmental clubs, FFA clubs, and so on.

• Obtain study materials from your Area Envirothon coordinator.

• Plan your training sessions and meet as often as possible.

• Consider contacting local experts to help train your team on the competition's natural resource topics. Also consider field trips and other activities to expand the training opportunities. Soil and Water Conservation Districts can also be good resources to find educational materials or contacts in natural resource fields.

• Practice oral presentations.

• Participate in your local or state competition. And HAVE FUN!

Who coordinates the events?

Area Envirothons are coordinated by Minnesota's Soil and Water Conservation Districts. The state competition is coordinated by the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources.

Who sponsors the State Envirothon?

The 2006 Minnesota State Envirothon has received support from the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Great River Energy, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, Minnesota Association of Conservation Districts Employees, Security State Bank of Warroad, Minnesota Deer Hunters Association-North Red River Chapter, Area I Envirothon Committee, Canon U.S.A., Dalhgrens Sunflower Seed Company, Northern Plains Potato Growers, and Digi-Key.

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