The Michigan Envirothon is a statewide environmental education competition designed to inspire environmental stewardship in Michigan’s high school students. It is team based and uses the outdoors as a classroom. Teams of five students and up to four alternate members utilize resource materials and local resource professionals to address natural resources including: Agriculture, Aquatic Ecology, Energy, Forestry, Soils/Geology, Wildlife, and a varying Environmental Issue. They compete against other students to test their knowledge of these areas and conduct Community Outreach Projects to address environmental issues in their community. Click here to learn about what impressive things some downstate students were able to accomplish through their community outreach project.

The winner of the Michigan Envirothon will go on to compete in the national competition called the Canon Envirothon, which is North America's largest high school environmental education competition.

The GTCD is looking for two teams to sponsor from the Grand Traverse area. This year's topic is “Protection of Groundwater through Urban, Agricultural and Environmental Planning” and Dan Busby, Ground Water Program Coordinator, will be making presentations and coordinating activities for the state and regional competitions. We will provide funding, educational assistance and team advising for two teams of students. And as this year's topic is Dan's expertise, he may be able to give your team a leg up on the competition. If you or your school is interested in participating in this year's competition, please e-mail or call 231.941.0960 to contact Dan Busby. We will fill the teams on a first com, first serve basis so contact us today if you are interested!

The regional competition will be held Friday, March 12 from 8:30a - 2:30p at the Boardman River Nature Center. We are excited to be a part of it and look forward to hosting the state regional competition!

Tags: envirothon, maeap