AISWCD

Envirothon



Illinois Envirothon


Sponsored by 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 5th Category – "Recreational Impacts on Natural Resources”

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

Canon Envirothon 2008

July 28 – August 3 @ Northern Arizona University – Flagstaff, AZ

AQUATIC ECOLOGY
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 Objectives and 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 Study Guide (pdf format)
SOILS AND LAND USE
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 Objectives and 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 Objectives and 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 winners

2006 Envirothon Winners

2005 Envirothon Winners

2004 Envirothon Winners


Land Use Council Contact Information
Listing of LUC Envirothon Competition Dates

Council 1
Northern Illinois Land Use Council
Jessica Edwards
Carroll Co. SWCD
807 C South Clay Street
Mt. Carroll, IL 61053-9701
Phone: 815-244-8732 ext. 3

Council 2
Northwestern Land Use Council
Marilyn Andress
Rock Island Co. SWCD
3020 E. 1st Avenue
Milan, IL 61264
Phone: 309-764-1486 ext. 3

 

Council 3
Upper IL Valley Conservation Council
Debbie Ruff
Livingston Co. SWCD
1510 W. Reynolds, Box 80
Pontiac, IL 61764
Phone: 815-844-6127 ext. 3

 

Council 4
Western IL Land & Water Use Council
Deb Baker
Fulton Co. SWCD
15381 N. State Hwy 100
Lewistown, IL 61542
Phone: 309-547-2215 ext. 3

 

Council 5
Central IL Land Use Council
Amy Ishmael
Mason Co. SWCD
930 East Laurel
Havana, IL 62644
Phone: 309-543-6075 ext. 3

 

Council 6
East Central Land Use Council
Shelley Finfrock
DeWitt Co. SWCD
804 W. VanBuren Street
Clinton, IL 61727
Phone: 217-935-6504 ext. 3

 

Council 7
Eastern IL Land Use Council
Cindy Johnston
Vermilion Co. SWCD
1905-A U.S. Route 150
Danville, IL 61832
Phone: 217-442-8511 ext. 3

 

Council 8
Western IL Land Use Council
Jane Brangenberg
Calhoun Co. SWCD
PO Box 516 - RR2 Hwy 100
Hardin, IL 62047
Phone: 618-576-2717

 

Council 9
Abe Lincoln Council
Stephanie Porter
Christian Co. SWCD
951-2 W. Spresser Street
Taylorville, IL 62568
Phone: 217-287-1315 ext. 3


 

Council 10
Okaw Valley Soil & Water Conservation Council
Denise Willenborg
Effingham Co. SWCD
2301 Hoffman Drive
Effingham, IL 62401
Phone: 217-342-6855 ext. 3

 

Council 11
Wabash Valley Council
Sally Neff
Lawrence Co. SWCD
2812 West Haven Road
Lawrenceville, IL 62439
Phone: 618-943-2621 ext. 3

 

Council 12
Lower Kaskaskia Land Use Council
Shannon Murphy
Madison Co. CAREE
900 Hillsboro, PO Box 427
Edwardsville, IL 62025
Phone: 618-650-7053

 

Council 13
South Central IL Land Use Council
Burke Davies
Marion Co. SWCD
1550 E. Main Street
Salem, IL 62881
Phone: 618-548-2230 ext. 3

 

Council 14
Shawnee Land Use Council
Debbie Gray
White Co. SWCD
1105 W. Main
Carmi, IL 62821
Phone: 618-382-2213 ext. 3

 

Council 15
Southwestern Land Use Council
Rick Walter
Williamson Co. SWCD
502 Comfort Drive, Suite C
Marion, IL 62959
Phone: 618-993-5396 ext. 3

 

Council 16
Council Sixteen
Elizabeth Moeler
Kane-DuPage Co. SWCD
2315 Dean St., Suite 100
St. Charles, IL 60175
Phone: 630-584-7961 ext. 3

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.