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Environmental Education for Youth
Ontario Envirothon provides educational tools and opportunities for young people to
learn more about the environment so they will be able to make informed, responsible
decisions that benefit the earth and its inhabitants.
Building Awareness
Working together, groups of young people and advisors use critical thinking and
problem-solving skills to learn about environmental topics and issues.
Ontario Envirothon looks at:
- wildlife
- aquatics
- forestry
- soils
- current issues, such as watershed management and integrated pest management
Working together
Ontario Envirothon encourages hands-on learning. The program includes:
- resource kits
- team competitions
- local workshops and field days run by natural resource professionals
Organizing committees in regions throughout the province work with schools, natural
resource agencies and the Ontario Forestry Association to maximize learning for all
participants.
Challenging youth
Ontario Envirothon encourages young people to learn more about the environment by
getting out of the classroom and experiencing the outdoors. In a group setting, they learn
from one another, from resource professionals and from nature itself!
Envirothon field trips and competitions provide young people with opportunities to meet
others who share their interests. It's not just work . . . Ontario Envirothon is fun!
Ontario Envirothon is a program of the Ontario Forestry Association
For information Ontario Envirothon, contact:
Dawna Wastesicoot
Educational Coordinator
Ontario Forestry Association
200 Consumers Road, Suite 307
North York, ON, Canada M2J 4R4
Telephone: (416) 493-4565
Fax: (416) 493-4608
forestry@oforest.on.ca
2000 Competitions
The Provincial Championship will be held at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, May 10 - 14, 2000.
Canon Envirothon will be held July 27 - August 1, 2000 at Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. This is the first time it's been held outside the United States!
OUR SPONSORS:
Abitibi-Consolidated
Bowater
Ontario Lumber
Manufacturers' Association
Domtar Papers
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Fact Sheet
Who?
Ontario Envirothon is open to students enrolled in grades 9 to OAC in public, private and home schools, or community organizations such as Guides, Scouts or 4H clubs. For envirothon competitions, there are five people on a team.
What?
Ontario Envirothon is a hands-on environmental education program run by the Ontario Forestry Association. It seeks to raise awareness of Environmental issues through classroom study, field trips, and outdoor competitions in the five Envirothon subject areas: Aquatics, Forestry, Soils, Wildlife, and a current environmental issue that changes yearly. The topic for 1999/2000 is Wetland Management.
Teachers can operate Envirothon as an extracurricular club or encorporate the program into their regular teaching.
Students can work co-operatively in teams at every level of competition. Teamwork and collaboration are encouraged throughout Ontario Envirothon, from organizers to students.
Where?
For 1999/2000 there are schools from 15 Ontario regions registered in the program. Current regions are:
- Algoma
- Central Ontario Region Envirothon (CORE)
- Chapleau
- Dufferin-Simcoe
- Essex-Kent
- Greater Toronto Area
- Grey-Bruce
- Halton-Peel
- Lanark
- Leeds-Grenville
- London-Middlesex-Elgin
- Northwestern Ontario
- Ottawa-Carleton
- Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry
- Wellington
Ontario Envirothon will continue to expand throughout the province. OFA anticipates that, by the year 2002, all areas of Ontario will be represented in the program.
When?
Ontario Envirothon parallels the school year. It starts in the fall; regional competitions are in April-May; the Provincial Championships are in mid-May; and the U.S.-based Canon Envirothon is at the beginning of August. The timing of local field trips is determined by local groups.
Registration happens during September and October, with materials being sent out in October to registered schools. Please contact the OFA by January 31st to advise us of your interest in participating. If an Anvirothon region already exists in your area, we may be able to extend the registration deadline.
Why?
Ontario Envirothon's goal is "to build environmental awareness and leadership among young people through practical, hands-on educational experiences, enabling them to make informed, responsible decisions that benefit the earth and society."
- to increase students' awareness of the natural balance and complexity of environmental ecosystems;
- to increase students' understanding of basic science concepts in the areas of forestry, wildlife, aquatic ecology, and soil, together with a current environmental issue each year;
- to promote team learning;
- to provide opportunity for students to experience differing views and concepts relative to environmental issues;
- to provide opportunity for students to experience new ideas, geography, and culture through travel and interaction throughout Ontario and North America.
How?
When you register for Ontario Envirothon, we we will send you a package of educational materials. This includes five binders of information and activities, as well as booklets and pamphlets, and specialized resources for the current issue topic. You and your students use this material to increase your knowledge and skills, and to prepare for the spring competitions (if you choose to participate).
Every student who is registered may compete at the regional competition. Winning team(s) advance to the Ontario Envirothon Championships. The champions earn the opportunity to represent Ontario at the Canon Envirothon.
When you sign up, we will put you in touch with your regional steering committee, a group of teachers, natural resource professionals, and other interested parties who will work together to organize field trips and competitions; identify learning opportunities in your area; and share knowledge and contacts.
the annual registration fee gets you a resource kit, a monthly newsletter, field trips run by natural resource professionals, and OFA and regional support systems.
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