Iowa Envirothon

Iowa Envirothon

The National Conservation Foundation (NCF) Envirothon is an environmental and natural resource conservation problem-solving, team-building, and leadership experience and competition for 9th – 12th grade students across the U.S.

Iowa Envirothon challenges students statewide to hone critical thinking skills and create inventive solutions to the complex local environmental and natural resource issues facing Iowans today. Through regional testing and the state competition, teams of Iowa high school students earn a chance to deep dive into valuable environmental and natural resource problem-solving, team-building, and leadership experiences. Both the regional and state contest include questions in these four areas: wildlife, soils, aquatics, and forestry/prairie. Teams qualifying for the state contest also prepare an oral presentation on the current year’s topic.

In Iowa, the Conservation Districts of Iowa (CDI) manage this competition. Starting in 2024, ICEC is partnering with CDI to promote this program!

In Iowa, teams of students sign up for a regional, on-line exams. The teams with the top 15 scores at the regional level are invited to the state competition at a central Iowa location in the spring.

The top team from the state competition is eligible for the 2027 NCF-Envirothon Competition! This team is partially supported by CDI!

Announcing the 2027 Iowa Envirothon state competition ->> 26 April 2027 at Jester Park Nature Center

Current Issue Topic

The 2027 Envirothon competition current issue topic is Soil Health Management: Agriculture Principles and Stewardship.

Documents for Iowa Envirothon 2027 (Coming soon)

The 2027 NCF-Envirothon Competition will be held July 25-31, 2027, at Mount St. Mary’s University, Emmitsburg, Maryland.

Learn more!

See below and the Conservation Districts of Iowa website for information about the Iowa Envirothon to see if this program could fit in your school FFA chapter, AP Science classes, TAG, or student organization. Start planning now!

A volunteer’s history and experience with Iowa Envirothon

Hear from 2025 Coaches!

Watch in-depth interviews with the North Fayette-Valley High School team plus their Coach and Principal!

Curious about the Iowa Envirothon state contest?

Hear from the advisor and team members from the 2024 Bettendorf Conservation Club.

Learn from the Decorah High School 2023 team advisors on why students are interested in Envirothon!

 

Hear from Marshalltown’s team advisor and student from the 2023 Iowa Envirothon!

The format of the state competition is conducted in-person and involves hands-on activities using environmental science and conservation equipment. The same four areas (soil, water, wildlife, and forestry) are covered plus a current environmental issue and an oral presentation.

The state winner represents Iowa at the national NCF Envirothon Competition.

 

Decorah High School advisors talk about recruiting!

See the Conservation Districts of Iowa website for information about the Iowa Envirothon to see if this program could fit in your school FFA chapter, AP Science classes, TAG, or student organization. Start planning now!