ENVIROTHON
ENVIROTHON
THE HARFORD COUNTY ENVIROTHON
The Harford County Soil Conservation District is the proud sponsor of the Harford County Envirothon. The Envirothon is open to students from grades 9 thru 12, and provides an exciting way to learn about the environment and natural resources. The Envirothon combines classroom training and in the field hands on training in five topics. The five topics are Wildlife, Forestry, Soils, Aquatics and an Environmental Issue that changes every year, referred to as the fifth topic.
THE 2024 HARFORD COUNTY ENVIROTHON WINNERS
1ST PLACE: North Harford High School
2ND PLACE: Aberdeen High School
3RD PLACE: Harford Christian School
ENVIROTHON BASICS
High School Evirothon teams are five members and one alternate along with a teacher/coach that study and attend workshops throughout the academic year. Students are given a complex problem to solve and then make a presentation before a panel of judges in the late winter. In the early spring there is a competition and testing in all five topics. The team with the highest cumulative score advances to the Maryland Envirothon where they complete in a statewide competition. The team that wins the State competition then advances to the National Envirothon, an International competition with teams from Canada, Mexico and the United States that last for five days.
The Envirothon began in Pennsylvania in the year 1979, started by three soil and water conservation districts. The District was approached about sponsoring the Envirothon by a teacher who volunteered in an outdoor educational park in PA. The Harford Soil Conservation District sponsored its first competition in 1991. Harford County teams have since won the state competition a record nine times. In the National Envirothon, the Harford teams have placed 2nd twice, 4th twice, 7th twice, 12th, 17th, and 20th.
For more information
SUMMARY OF THE FIVE CORE RESOURCE TOPICS OF THE ENVIROTHON
WILDLIFE
Wildlife biologist teach about animal populations and dynamics and the importance of wildlife habitat.
FORESTRY
Foresters teach how to identify tree species and how to determine a trees height, diameter and basal area. Students are also taught management techniques to assure healthy and productive forestry resources.
SOILS
Soil Scientist teach soil profiles, texture and color for identification and characteristics of soils. Students are taught how to use a soil survey to best determine agricultural and other land use consideration. Students learn how land use changes impact soils and people’s lives.
AQUATICS
Biologist teach underwater ecosystems of marine and freshwater systems. Students are taught the importance of water quality on steam heath and wetlands.
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
Alternative Energy, Water Stewardship, Global Warming and Changing Habitats are all topics covered in the past. Professional experts in their field are brought in to teach students about the impacts of that year’s subject on the environment.
Date: Tuesday, May 16, 2023
Location: Broad Creek Scout Camp
1929 Susquehanna Hall Road
Whiteford, MD 21160
Website: www.harfordscd.org
Date: June 15 – 16, 2023
Location: Western 4H Park
Garrett County
Website: www.mdenvirothon.org
Date: July 23 – 29, 2023
Location: Mount Allison University
Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada
Website: www.envirothon.org
