WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Conservation Foundation (NCF) recently announced that the 33rd Annual NCF-Envirothon Competition will be held July 24-30 in Oxford, OH in partnership with the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (OFSWCD). The NCF-Envirothon Competition brings together high school students from across the United States, Canada, and China to complete for more than $30,000 in prizes and awards in the five areas of study: aquatic ecology, forestry, soils and land use, wildlife, and this year’s current issue.

“We are extremely happy to be back together this year for the 2022 competition,” NCF Chair Brent Van Dyke said. “These students are the future of conservation and Envirothon gives them the tools needed to protect and lead in the areas of environmental stewardship and conservation.”

The 2022 NCF-Envirothon will spotlight the ecology and natural resources of Ohio, with a special focus on this year’s current issue of “Waste to Resources.” Students will learn about different types of waste and explore how various waste management strategies impact natural resources. Students will be challenged to examine the social, economic, and political impacts of reclaiming and repurposing waste products and degraded lands.

“Ohio is an incredibly diverse state. We are both very urban and very rural. Our challenges with managing waste, both consumer and agricultural, is an interesting subject,” Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts President Matt Peart said. “This contest will bring some of the brightest high school students in our nation, parts of Canada and China together to tackle this issue and create lasting friendships. We look forward to engaging these very bright students in natural resource solutions while showing them a piece of our amazing state.”

The event kicks-off on Sunday, July 24 with an opening ceremony including a keynote address from Chad Pregracke, founder and President of Living Lands and Waters nonprofit organization. Beginning the following morning teams will be emersed in a week of in-depth training and then testing in the five areas of study, as well as developing, then delivering 20-minute oral presentations that address a real-world natural resource scenario based on the current issue.

The weeklong competition will conclude Friday evening, July 29, with a Closing Ceremony where various awards and scholarships will be given out to recognize the outstanding performance of the students.

As part of the event, OFSWCD will host a College and Career Fair the morning of Friday, July 29 to allow students to interact with sponsors, partners, and college representatives for an opportunity to explore potential academic and career prospects they may pursue after graduation.

“We know that many students look forward to attending this competition each year, but COVID-19 may still be of concern to many,” Van Dyke said. “However, the top priority for the organizers is the health and safety of students, advisors, volunteers, sponsors and education partners and we will have systems in place to ensure that throughout the week.”

Complete event details can be found on the Envirothon website. The NCF-Envirothon, a program of the National Conservation Foundation (NCF), is supported through a partnership with the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD). Major sponsors of the 2022 event include the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS), Smithfield Foods, Inc., the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Civil & Environmental Consultant, Inc., Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD) Foundation, the National Association of State Conservation Agencies, and many of the individual the soil and water conservation districts across Ohio. You can learn more about the OFSWCD here.

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About National Conservation Foundation (NCF)
The mission of the National Conservation Foundation (NCF) is to identify and advance strategic programs and partnerships to deliver conservation solutions through locally-led conservation and to develop the next generation of conservation leaders. Visit the NCF website to learn more.