More than 200 high school and middle school students from an eleven-county area gather at Elon University, (Elon, NC) each spring to gain some hands-on environmental experience as a part of our Area 3 Envirothon which includes students from Alamance, Caswell, Chatham, Guilford, Lee, Montgomery, Moore, Orange, Person, Randolph, and Rockingham Counties.  The top seven teams in high school and middle school move on to the state Envirothon competition that is held in April at Cedarock Park in Burlington.  The first place winner in the state competition then moves on to the North American Envirothon competition against teams from across the United States and Canada.  

The Envirothon program is an effective educational tool, capable of supplementing environmental education both inside and outside the classroom.  Led by a volunteer advisor, teams usually meet from late autumn until spring.  Teams work collaboratively to develop their knowledge of ecology and natural resource management and to practice their environmental problem-solving skills in preparation for Envirothon competitions.  Competition topics include environmental issues such as soils, wildlife, aquatics, forestry and current environmental issues. 

Team training  can include field trips to natural resource sites, museums, or other areas of interest; listening to presentations given by natural resource professionals; and careful study of natural resource materials.  Through these learning activities, teams increase their knowledge of and ability to understand complex environmental and natural resource issues.

The Person SWCD sponsors local teams to compete in this event.  Teams are open to Ecology clubs, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, 4-H clubs, home study groups, environmental groups, or any group interested in competing.  

If you are interested in competing or need help forming a team, please contact our office.  District staff is also available to assist teams in training needs.

For current information on Envirothon competitions please visit:

Area 3 Envirothon

NC Envirothon

NCF-Envirothon