Thank you Leader Schools!

I would like to recognize the following schools for their designation as 2012 Michigan Envirothon Leader Schools! Thank you and Good Luck!

Conservation Commandos from Hillsdale High School

Green Turtles from Macomb Math Science Technology Center

E.J. Bison from New Buffalo High School

Michigan Envirothon

Essay Contest

Michigan Envirothon wants to hear, in YOUR words, what Envirothon means to you!

Michigan Envirothon 2011 participants, please take a moment to share your experiences and take the opportunity to inspire, educate or illuminate your peers, Envirothon supporters of all ages, and those who may have never heard of the program. The winning essay will be published in the Michigan Envirothon 2011 Annual Report. Runners up will be posted on our website and/or facebook page.

Topic:  Michigan Envirothon and Me.

You may choose to focus on any element, specific topic or experience from Envirothon. You may include: what you learned, what you liked, how the competition has effected you, a specific event/experience/moment you enjoyed or challenged you, as long as you are writing about Michigan Envirothon from your experience and perspective, only your creativity limits the spin you take.

Eligibility:  Open to Michigan Envirothon 2011 participants

Deadline:  December 16th, 2011

Does Your Classroom Look Like This...

It can with Michigan Envirothon!

Michigan Envirothon is a program that engages high school students in learning about environmental stewardship, community service and teamwork.  Envirothon is an excellent opportunity for students to learn about environmental issues from natural resource professionals. Students use their new skills to compete in an outdoors, hands-on competition against other teams from across Michigan. 

How it Works
Michigan Envirothon is an environmental education competition designed to foster critical thinking, wise stewardship and community involvement. Teams of five 9th - 12th grade students  are tested on seven conservation related topics including agriculture, aquatic ecology, energy, forestry, soils/geology, wildlife and a current environmental issue selected each year.  Each team also completes a community outreach project to address a natural resource concern in their local community.

The first round of competitions are held in March at regional locations around the state.   The top teams, including at least two teams from each region,  advance to the State Competition. The 2012 State Competition will be held on May 9th - 11th at Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie.  The top team from Michigan Envirothon will go on to compete against teams from the U.S and Canada in the Canon Envirothon July 22nd - July 28th at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania.

The 17th Annual Statewide Michigan Envirothon will be held Wednesday, May 11th through Friday, May 13th, 2011 at the Ft. Custer Environmental Training Center in Augusta, Michigan.  Twenty-four student teams from Branch Area Careers Center, Caro High School, EcoTek, Glen Lake High School, Hillsdale High School, Iron Mountain/Kingsford High School, Ithaca High School, Macomb Mathematics Science Technology Center, New Lothrop High School, Niles High School, Oakland Schools Technical Campus, Roseville High School and Sault Area High School-Career will be in attendance.

Founded in 1994, Michigan Envirothon is a combined effort of natural resource professionals and educators to provide hands-on, outdoor coaching and testing on topical conservation issues.  In turn, Michigan Envirothon gives young citizens the tools to provide leadership for a more sustainable and environmentally aware community. Learn more about Michigan Envirothon.

The theme for this year's Michigan Envirothon is Salt and Freshwater Estuaries.  Event catagories include examinations in Forestry, Soils and Geology, Aquatic Ecology, Wildlife, Energy, Agriculture and an Oral Presentation where students will present the results of their community outreach projects in which they identified and remedied a natural resource concern in their own community.

The winning team from the 2011 Michigan Envirothon will be eligible to compete in the week-long North American Canon Envirothon competition, held this year July 24 - 29 in Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada.  Learn more about Canon Envirothon.

Lori Phalen, Executive Director of the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts, states, "we are delighted to provide a forum for these young people to learn about their environment and to address local issues through their community outreach projects.  It is amazing to see these students in action; they are our future natural resource leaders."

For schools, teams, volunteers or sponsors interested in more information about how to participate in the 2012 Michigan Envirothon on May 9-11th at Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie, contact Benjamin Wickerham at the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts.

Michigan Envirothon is a program of the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts (MACD).  MACD is a non-profit organization that represents the interests of Michigan Conservation Districts and works to strengthen Districts through leadership, information and representation at the state level.  Michigan's 79 Conservation Districts are the local providers of natural resource management services that help our citizens conserve their lands and our environment for a cleaner, healthier, economically stronger Michigan.