Overview: Each spring, teams of SC high school students gather to compete for scholarships and the opportunity to represent the Palmetto State at the NCF-Envirothon competition. Envirothon teams are tested on their knowledge of five areas of environmental science (wildlife, forestry, soil science, aquatics, and a current topic) and their performance on an oral presentation. Teams consist of 3-5 students plus an alternate (optional) in grades 9-12. Each team must have the support of a team coach.
A coaches’ training session will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2023, from 8:45am-2:30pm at the Clemson Sandhill Research and Education Center in northeast Columbia. This training is not designed for students to attend. Interested coaches should register for the training by January 30, 2023.
The 2023 SC Envirothon competition will be held on Friday, April 28, from 8:30am-3:00pm at the Clemson Sandhill Research and Education Center in northeast Columbia. Participating teams must submit a Team Registration Form, Student Participant Waivers (1 per student), and Coach Volunteer Agreements (1 per coach). Complete registration packets are due by April 3, 2023. Forms and more details are available on the SC Envirothon website.
Incentives: To incentivize Richland County participation in the competition, the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District (RSWCD) will pay the team registration fee of $175 for the first four Richland County teams who submit their complete registration packets to the SC Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR). Additionally, RSWCD will provide a stipend of $500 to the first four Richland County team coaches who submit their completed registration packets to SCDNR. (If there are multiple coaches per team, the $500 stipend will be evenly divided amongst that team’s coaches. If multiple teams share a coach or coaches, the coach or coaches are only eligible for a single $500 stipend.)
In order to be eligible for the stipend, coaches must:
Training Trunk: RSWCD has an SC Envirothon Training Trunk available for teams to borrow for two weeks at a time to help them prepare for the competition. The Trunk is available on a first-come, first-served basis. To request the Trunk, contact soilandwater@richlandcountysc.gov.
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Conservation Districts are political subdivisions of state government under the local direction of five-member Boards of Commissioners. In South Carolina, Conservation District boundaries conform to County boundaries. The Richland Soil and Water Conservation District promotes the wise use and care of natural resources for long-term sustainability. Richland County supports the work of the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District with staff and other resources.
Contact
Richland Soil and Water Conservation District
2020 Hampton Street, Room 3063A
Columbia, SC 29204
Phone (803) 576-2080
Fax (803) 576-2088
E-mail soilandwater@richlandcountysc.gov
Facebook www.facebook.com/rswcd