Envirothon

The annual Orange/Osceola/Seminole Regional Envirothon is held once a year at Harry P. Leu Botanical Gardens in Orlando, Florida.

The Regional Envirothon is a problem solving, natural resource education program for high school students. It is a unique outdoor competition that requires teamwork and the application of knowledge in the five areas listed below:

• Aquatics - water ecology, water chemistry, water quality, and aquatic life.
• Current Environmental Issues - annually selected topics such as energy sources, groundwater, Gulf of  Mexico environmental concerns or other current issues.
• Forestry - tree identification, tree ecology, insects, and timber.
• Soils - classification, formation, soil properties, profiles, and sites suitability.
• Wildlife - habit, identification, food, disease, and management.

The Envirothon originated in Pennsylvania in 1979. That year, three districts held local competitions under the name of Environmental Olympics. In 1988, the name was changed to the Envirothon, and today, 44 states and 7 Canadian Provinces have Envirothon programs.

During the 1991-1992 school year, Florida organized its first regional competition in Palm Beach. Since then, the Envirothon has become popular throughout Florida, and in April of 2005, the Florida State Envirothon has entrants representing 26 counties around the state.

The Regional Envirothon is sponsored by the Orange, Osceola and Seminole Soil and Water Conservation Districts, bringing together soil scientists, wildlife experts, forester, parks and recreational leaders, and other environmental specialists to challenge students to learn about our natural resources. Their ultimate goal is a more environmentally aware and concerned citizenry.