GENEVA, N.Y. – The New York State Envirothon is hosting more than 500 visitors for the 2024 National Conservation Foundation (NCF)-Envirothon annual competition, an international environmental and natural resources academic competition for high school students, from July 28 to August 3, 2024. This year’s competition will be housed at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, New York. Students will focus on the current issue topic of “Renewable Energy for a Sustainable Future.” Students will learn about the different sources of renewable energy; the challenges facing the transition from traditional fossil fuels to renewables; the environmental, economic, and social impacts of energy consumption; and how individuals can affect change in their communities

Throughout the week-long competition, students will demonstrate their knowledge of the current issue topic, as well as soils and land use, aquatic ecology, forestry and wildlife management through written tests and prepared oral presentations. This year’s competition will bring together 50 teams of high school students from across the U.S., Canada, China, and Singapore.

The state of New York is working to build a vibrant renewable energy industry covering all facets of the process from manufacturing to installation and including technologies for solar, wind, biomass, and hydroelectric energy. New York also has some of the most progressive energy and climate goals in the United States, including the adoption of the Clean Energy Standard, the passage of a mandate for 70 percent of electricity in the state to be from renewable sources to achieve a 40 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 in end-use energy through greater efficiency. 

The NCF-Envirothon team would like to thank the sponsors and partners for this year’s competition: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services; Smithfield Foods, Inc.; Farm Credit East; Canon U.S.A., Inc.; New York State Conservation Districts; New York Association of Conservation Districts; Environmental Education Foundation; National Association of Conservation Districts; and all the others. The winning teams are awarded over $50,000 in scholarships and prizes, with the top three teams receiving $30,000 in total donated from Smithfield Foods, Inc.

“Envirothon is an eye-opener for anybody who's interested in natural resources as a young person. A lot of participants are typically interested in science or agriculture," said Wendee Dodds, Natural Resource Specialist, NCF-Envirothon Operating Committee Member. "Envirothon broadens their scope of awareness of how many different types of careers are available in agriculture and natural resources. After participating in the Envirothon as a high school student and learning about all of the different career opportunities that I could pursue, it propelled me into the career I have today as a natural resource specialist.”

This year, the top three team announcements and oral presentations will be live-streamed at https://www.youtube.com/@ncfenvirothon on Friday, August 2 starting at 2:30 p.m. ET. Information and reminders on the day’s activities, events, and previous day’s highlights will be posted to envirothon.org and the 2024 Envirothon app.

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About the National Conservation Foundation (NCF)

The National Conservation Foundation (NCF) is a 501(c)3 organization that aims 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. NCF-Envirothon is a program of NCF. Visit the NCF website to learn more.

NCF-Envirothon is a hands-on, environmental problem-solving competition that builds leadership skills for high school students grades 9-12 (ages 14-19) in the United States, Canada, China and Singapore. NCF-Envirothon’s mission is to educate students about the environment and conservation of natural resources through hands-on outdoor experiences, academic study and collaborative competitions. The program educates future stewards, promotes E-STEM (environment, science, technology, engineering and math) education, creates community awareness and fosters appreciation and respect for the natural world.