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Envirothon Competition
Hands-On Learning for Future Conservation Leaders
The largest high school environmental education competition, Envirothon is a hands-on, team-based environmental education competition that encourages students to learn about natural resources through real-world problem solving and teamwork. The program promotes environmental awareness, leadership, and stewardship among middle and high school students.
For Questions or More Information
Contact Pitt County Soil & Water Conservation District
Call 252-902-1746
Building Knowledge Across Five Core Resource Areas
The Envirothon is a competitive event where five-member middle and high school teams test their knowledge across five key resource subjects:
- Soils and Land Use
- Forestry
- Wildlife
- Aquatic Ecology
- Current Environmental Issues
Teams work together during a full day of outdoor, field-based activities. Each resource station is led by environmental professionals who give presentations, demonstrate field skills, and administer a short test on each topic. The experience helps students apply classroom knowledge to real environmental challenges while building critical thinking and collaboration skills.
Pitt County schools, teachers, and youth groups are encouraged to form teams and participate. The District can provide study materials, registration details, and guidance for first-time teams.
Why Participate?
- Gain hands-on experience in natural sciences and conservation.
- Work as a team to solve real environmental problems.
- Meet professionals from forestry, wildlife, and water quality fields.
- Prepare for careers and college programs in science, agriculture, and environmental studies.
- Represent Pitt County in regional and state competitions.
Competing Locally in the Coastal Envirothon
The Coastal Envirothon is a one-day event hosted by Areas 5 and 6 of the NCASWCD, which include 28 coastal counties, including Pitt County. Separate competitions for middle and high school teams take place at the same location and time. Participation is limited to 35 middle school teams and 35 high school teams from across the coastal region.
- Each team has five members and may include up to two alternates for practice rotations.
- Each team must have an adult advisor, teachers, club leaders, or parents may serve in this role.
- Teams rotate through outdoor learning stations, where they receive hands-on instruction and complete short tests.
Entire classes or environmental clubs can study the resource subjects together, but only five students compete officially at the station rotations.
Learn More About the NC Coastal Envirothon & Register Your Team
The top-performing teams from the Coastal competition advance to the State Envirothon. State winners may advance to the North American Envirothon, where they compete against teams from across the United States and Canada.
Preparing for a Successful Envirothon Experience
Preparing for the Envirothon is a team effort. With the right practice and resources, students can strengthen their knowledge of North Carolina’s natural resources and build the confidence they need for competition day. The tips below help teams make the most of their training and perform their best at each station.
- Study the five Envirothon subjects using NC Envirothon materials and Pitt County Soil & Water Conservation District study guides. Understanding soils, forestry, wildlife, aquatic ecology, and current environmental issues is essential for success.
- Practice teamwork and communication. Envirothon scoring depends heavily on group decision-making. Strong listening skills, sharing ideas, and working together under time limits make a big difference during field tests.
- Join local workshops and training sessions offered by the Pitt County Soil & Water Conservation District. These hands-on opportunities allow teams to practice real skills such as tree identification, soil texture tests, and wildlife tracking.
- Prepare for outdoor conditions. Competitions are held outside, so students should bring weather-appropriate clothing, comfortable shoes, water, notebooks, and pencils. A prepared team can focus on learning—not the weather.
- Ask questions during station rotations. Natural resource professionals are there to support student learning. Teams that stay curious and ask for clarification often gain a deeper understanding of the material.
Explore the North Carolina Envirothon Program for Additional Information & Resources