The National Envirothon Competition is Underway

More than 500 students, teachers, chaperones, and guests from the United States, Canada and China have journeyed to Calgary, Alberta, Canada to compete in this year's National Conservation Foundation's (NCF) 2025 NCF- Envirothon competition. This year's theme is “Roots and Resiliency: Fostering Forest Stewardship in a Canopy of Change,” and invites students from across the world to explore forest ecosystems, climate impacts, and sustainable management through hands-on learning and team collaboration.

During the competition, students will work in five key subject areas: soils and land use, aquatic ecology, forestry, wildlife, and current issues. They will have to complete written tests and oral presentations to test their knowledge and skill set. This competition is bringing together students from across the U.S., Canada, and China to build their knowledge and skills in conservation and to foster meaningful connections and conversations with conservationists from across the world. The goal of Envirothon isn't only to foster winners in conservation competitions but also to introduce students to environments they may have been unfamiliar with before.

“We’re thrilled to welcome these outstanding students to Calgary for the 2025 NCF-Envirothon,” said Millie Langley, Envirothon Chair. “This week is about more than competition—it’s about cultivating curiosity, leadership, and a lifelong commitment to conservation. We can’t wait to see the ideas and energy these young changemakers bring to the field.”

In Virginia the Envirothon is run by the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts and Virginia’s 47 local Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Each spring there are a series of regional competitions held by the Soil and Water Conservation Districts with help from our volunteers. For the last 11 years Dominion Energy has been the primary sponsor of Virginia’s local, regional and statewide Envirothon with annual funding provided by its Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation.

Virginia sent the winning team from the state competition held last May at Mary Washington University.- Jamestown High School took first place (again), representing Colonial Soil and Water Conservation District, to the NCF-Envirothon International Envirothon in Calgary. Join me in wishing the Jamestown High School team good luck this week.