Article courtesy of Cooperative Living magazine, January 2003.

Youths Compete, Learn in State Envirothon

Youth, education and the environment are three subjects synonymous with investment in the future. The Virginia Envirothon academic competition is an event that embraces all three.

Coordinated since 1995 by the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, the Envirothon is a natural-resources competition for high school students. Teams composed of five students each are judged on topics ranging from soils and wildlife to an environmental-issue oral presentation. The judging takes into account the teams’ ability to apply knowledge of the test topics to solve real-life environmental problems.

Old Dominion Electric Cooperative (ODEC), power provider for 10 electric-distribution cooperatives in Virginia, supports the Envirothon through its membership in the Virginia Manufacturers Association’s (VMA) Outreach program, which is commonly referred to as VMA Outreach. The Envirothon’s investiture in youth, education and the environment are in keeping with ODEC’s business philosophy and the intent of VMA Outreach.

VMA Outreach was established in October 1998, as an affiliate of the VMA. Outreach consists of VMA members who “go the extra mile” in pledging their money and time to promote communication, education, and outreach to the media, environmental-interest groups, government, and the general public about environmental issues and the important role manufacturers play in protecting the environment. Outreach also serves as VMA’s focal point for proactive cooperative efforts with environmental groups and other constituencies on environmental issues of common concern.

“VMA Outreach has a big interest in environmental education from many perspectives,” says Robert L. (Bob) Dunn, Virginia environmental affairs manager for DuPont and chairman of VMA Outreach. “The future of our environment depends in large part upon the education of our youth, and the Envirothon is a terrific venue for educating our young people. It also provides practical-education experience and the opportunity to develop life-learning skills such as teamwork and balanced decision-making capabilities.”

“Old Dominion is very proud of our membership in VMA Outreach because of its mission to help promote industry’s role in preserving our environment,” adds Davis Phaup, environmental coordinator for ODEC. “Programs such as the Envirothon are invaluable in that they promote student teamwork, the development of problem-solving skills, and hands-on experience in tackling some tough environmental issues.”

Dana Roberts, Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District education coordinator, notes that the Envirothon’s goals are three-fold: 1) to promote a desire to learn more about the natural environment and develop knowledge and skills to apply the basic principles and practices of resource management and ecology; 2) to promote stewardship of natural resources and develop critical thinking skills, cooperative problem-solving skills, and decision-making skills of students to balance the quality of life and the quality of the environment; and 3) to provide students with experience in environmentally oriented activities that enables them to become environmentally aware, action-oriented citizens.

Last year, more than 500 students (116 teams) competed in the year-long Virginia Envirothon. Six area competitions were held to determine the 18 teams that advanced to the state competition held at the State Arboretum of Virginia. In May, the Harrisonburg High School team won the State Envirothon and represented Virginia at the National Envirothon, held at Hampshire College in Amherst, Mass. Virginia’s champion placed ninth overall out of 49 teams.

“Envirothon teams spend the academic year working with a coach and advisors to improve their knowledge and skills,” says Roberts. “Numerous ecology clubs, 4-H clubs and FFA clubs have been formed from the Envirothon program. Thousands of hours are contributed to this event each year. Coaches, agency technical advisers, and district employees perform many functions from judge to janitor in order to allow this program to be successful. The energy and enthusiasm generated by the Envirothon are indescribable.

“All it takes is five students with a desire to learn about the environment and one coach,” Roberts adds. “If this sounds interesting to you, now is the time to gear up for 2003 Envirothon events. Your local conservation district can help you get a team started by providing you with a coach’s manual, resource materials and guest speakers.”

For more information, contact Dana Roberts, dana-roberts@va.nacdnet.org or (804) 559-0324.

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