Each year, volunteer advisers coach teams with assistance from local conservation districts, forestry associations and participating natural resource agencies and organizations. Students are tested on their knowledge in five topic areas: aquatics, forestry, soils, wildlife and current environmental issues. Through the program, students develop an understanding of effective teamwork, resource management and ecology. At the same time, they gain valuable exposure to a range of disciplines while exploring possible career paths. Winning teams from each participating state and province advance to the National Conservation Foundation Envirothon (NCFE) to compete for national recognition, scholarships and prizes. 

​

The Envirothon Competition is an amazing cross-curriculum adventure, impacting not only the sciences but history and cultural studies as well. Teachers, home-school parents, scout and group leaders can build a team. Some educators involve a whole class, others advise teams of five members as a club or after school activity. Open to all high school students, a team may be sponsored by a school, home-school group, agricultural association, scout, or community service group.