Inspire the Next Generation of Environmental Leaders: Join the 2026 Vermont Envirothon!

If you’re looking for a powerful way to bring hands-on STEM learning to life for your students, the 2026 Vermont Envirothon Competition is the perfect opportunity. For nearly 30 years, Envirothon has connected Vermont high schoolers with real-world environmental science—engaging more than 2,000 students in meaningful, field-based learning since 1996.

This year, we invite you and your students to be part of this unforgettable experience.

Save the Date: May 20, 2026

Location: Buck Lake, Woodbury, VT

The winning team will earn the honor of representing Vermont at the North American Envirothon, hosted at Mississippi State University in Starkville, MS, from July 19–25, 2026.

What is the Vermont Envirothon?

The Vermont Envirothon is a statewide competition where high school teams dive deep into environmental science and natural resource issues. Students apply their knowledge of forestry, wildlife, soils, and water resources through hands-on challenges, teamwork, and problem-solving.

Teams consist of five students (grades 9–12) and a coach—any teacher, volunteer, or adult mentor can serve in that role. Schools may register up to two teams.
Registration cost: $75 for the first team, $50 for the second.

What Students Will Explore

Envirothon’s five core topics help students develop a strong foundation in environmental science and real-world conservation:

Aquatic Ecology

Students evaluate freshwater and marine ecosystems, identify aquatic organisms, and learn about watershed health and non-point source pollution.

Forestry

Guided by professional foresters, students practice tree ID, explore forest dynamics, and study sustainable forest management techniques.

Soils & Land Use

Working with soil scientists, students investigate soil characteristics, conservation practices, and how soils shape agricultural, urban, and rural systems.

Wildlife Ecology

Students examine species adaptations, habitats, human-wildlife interactions, and how to maintain ecological balance.

Current Environmental Issue: Non-Point Source Pollution—It Begins at Home!

Teams research a real-world scenario and present their solutions to a panel of judges during the oral presentation component.

Resources to Support You

We’re committed to helping educators feel confident and prepared:

• February Virtual Training Series
  Online sessions led by station leaders
  Thursdays, 3:15–4:30 PM (Zoom)
  More details coming soon.

• Free Training Kits
  Borrow Forestry Kits, Soil Analysis Kits, and Water Quality Monitoring Kits to help your team practice.

• Lesson Plans & Activities
  Access topic guides, key study points, and classroom-ready activities on the Vermont Envirothon Educational Resources page.

• Participant Perks
  All students receive an Envirothon t-shirt—and yes, there will be exciting prizes!

Why Bring a Team?

Envirothon is so much more than a competition. It’s:

• A chance for students to apply classroom learning in the field

• An opportunity to build teamwork, leadership, and public speaking skills

• A powerful way to deepen environmental literacy

• A hands-on experience that often becomes a highlight of the school year

Many educators even incorporate Envirothon topics into their curriculum to extend student learning and engagement.

Register Your Team

Ready to inspire your students?
Register here: VT Envirothon 2026 Team Registration Link

Have questions? Reach out to our Envirothon Coordinator:
Lucas Goldfluss
lucas@winooskinrcd.org
(802) 497-5513

Learn more at www.envirothon.org or www.vacd.org/programs/envirothon/.

We can’t wait to see Vermont’s next generation of conservation leaders out in the field this spring!