|
The Envirothon (also known as NCF-Envirothon) is a hands-on natural resources education program that challenges high school aged students to apply what they learn about the environment to real-world conservation issues. The program began in Pennsylvania in 1979 and has since grown into one of North America’s largest environmental education competitions for high school students.
The Maryland Envirothon was established in 1990 and is supported by Maryland’s Soil Conservation Districts, natural resource agencies, educators, and conservation professionals.
Students in grades 9–12 compete in teams of five and study five natural resource areas:
Aquatics – streams, wetlands, water quality, and aquatic ecosystems
Forestry – tree identification, forest ecology, and forest management
Soils – soil characteristics, conservation, and land-use decisions
Wildlife – wildlife identification, habitat, populations, and management
Current Environmental Issue – a different conservation challenge selected each year
Throughout the year, students work with professionals such as soil scientists, foresters, wildlife biologists, and other natural resource specialists. The program emphasizes practical, field-based learning while also developing teamwork, communication, problem-solving, leadership, and decision-making skills.
During the spring training day, students will be organized into teams in preparation for the testing day. Qualifying teams will then have the opportunity to advance to the Maryland Envirothon, which will be held in June 2027.
|
The Talbot Soil Conservation District has a long history of supporting Envirothon and environmental education for Talbot County students. Local teams prepare through classroom study and hands-on training before competing for the opportunity to represent Talbot County at the Maryland Envirothon. The Maryland champion then advances to the NCF-Envirothon, where teams from across the United States, Canada, and other participating regions compete.
The Talbot Soil Conservation District continues that tradition today by providing local students with opportunities to learn directly from conservation professionals and develop a greater understanding of the natural resources of Talbot County, Maryland, and the Chesapeake Bay region.
Sponsors
|
Open House Interest Meeting
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
6 PM - 8 PM
Location:
Talbot Agriculture & Education Center
10659 Hiners Lane
Easton, Maryland 21601
Spring Training Day
Saturday, March 20, 2027
9 AM - 3 PM
Location:
Talbot Agriculture & Education Center
10659 Hiners Lane
Easton, Maryland 21601
Spring Testing Day
Saturday, April 17, 2027
9 AM - 3 PM
Location:
Talbot Agriculture & Education Center
10659 Hiners Lane
Easton, Maryland 21601
|
Coordinator
Shawn D. Smith, CPESC
District Manager
shawn.smith@maryland.gov
Aquatics
Ray Geist
Engineering Technician
ray.geist@maryland.gov
Forestry
Brandon Dudrow
Soil Conservation Associate
brandon.dudrow@maryland.gov
Soils
Ann Rossi-Gill, Ph.D., CPSS
NRCS Soil Scientist
ann.rossigill@usda.gov
Wildlife
Rocky Donovan
Ag. Resource Conservation Specialist
rocky.donovan@maryland.gov