The Calvert County Envirothon is a collaborative program between the Calvert County Soil Conservation Service, Calvert Forestry Board, Calvert County Natural Resource Division, Morgan State University (PEARL), American Chestnut Land Trust and the Calvert County Public School System’s CHESPAX program.
What is the Envirothon?
The Envirothon is an environmental competition for High School students. During this program, students are trained and tested by professionals in Aquatics Resources, Forestry Management, Soils Conservation and Wildlife Management. Teams of 5 – 7 students compete at a county competition with the winning team moving on to a State and National competition.
Goals of the Envirothon
To engage students in activities that will hone their critical thinking and decision-making skills on environmental problems.
To expose the students to careers and technology in the Natural Resource field.
History
The 1st Envirothon, hosted by the Pennsylvania Association of Soil Conservation, was held in Pennsylvania in 1988 with three states participating. Since that time various Soil Conservation Districts across the United States and Canada have adopted the program and have held county, state, and national competitions.
In 1991, the Calvert Soil Conservation approached the CHESPAX program about hosting a Calvert County Envirothon competition. That year, 4 teams from Northern and Calvert High School competed at the 1st Calvert County Envirothon. The winning team went to the State Envirothon competition. Throughout the years, the program has run as clubs or part of the AP Environmental Science curriculum.
There have been as many as 140 students competing in one year to as few as 20. Graduates of this program are now working in various environmental fields including Jefferson Patterson Park and Calvert County Animal Control department.
Our Partners
American Chestnut Land Trust
Autumn Phillips- Lewis
We promote land conservation and preservation throughout Southern Maryland. We preserve and conserve the natural and cultural resources of the Parkers Creek and Governors Run watersheds for the benefit of this and future generations. We provide environmentally sustainable public access to managed properties for educational, scientific, recreational and cultural purposes.
Calvert County Soil Conservation
Ryan St. Laurent
Our mission is to promote practical and effective soil, water and related natural resource programs to all citizens in a timely fashion on a voluntary basis through leadership, education and cooperation.
Calvert County Forestry Board
Autumn Phillips-Lewis
Forest Conservancy District Boards (maryland.gov)
The main purpose of the Maryland Forest Conservation Act (Natural Resources Article Section 5-1601 through 5-1613) is to minimize the loss of Maryland’s forest resources during land development by making the identification and protection of forests and other sensitive areas an integral part of the site planning process.
CHESPAX
Calvert County Public Schools Environmental Ed Program
Linda Subda
443-550-8079
Subdal@calvertnet.k12.md.us
Morgan State University PEARL Lab
Amanda Knobloch
Patuxent Environmental & Aquatic Research Laboratory
Research conducted at PEARL is designed to increase the understanding of coastal ecosystems so that they may be responsibly managed and protected.
Calvert County Natural Resources
Gene Groshon
https://www.calvertcountymd.gov/1190/Natural-Resources
Natural Resources Division | Calvert County, MD – Official Website
The Calvert County Natural Resources Division preserves, manages and operates natural resource areas to provide compatible outdoor recreation and educational opportunities for the public.
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