Growing Tomorrow's Green Leaders at the 2016 Ontario Envirothon

Ontario's largest environmental competition connects thousands of students to the outdoors

LINDSAY, ON, May 19, 2016 /CNW/ - More than 130 aspiring green leaders and educators from across Ontario will come together for the Ontario Envirothon Provincial Championship, taking place from May 29^th to June 1^st at Fleming College in Lindsay, Ontario.

The Ontario Envirothon is a province-wide team-based competition for high school students who love the outdoors. It provides students hands-on learning experiences across Ontario's parks, forests, woodlots, and conservation areas. Supporting partners include, Maple Leaves Forever, Fleming College, Brock University, Enbridge, Algonquin Forestry Authority, and Ministry of Education.

The program challenges students to develop solutions to local environmental challenges and builds skills in core environmental topics including soils, forests, wildlife and aquatics. In addition, students used online resources and attended workshops to learn all about this year's Envirothon theme - invasive species, including the threats, species, legislation and management associated with one of the environment's greatest threats.

In 2016, 18 regional programs took place across the province, with the top team from each region progressing to the Ontario Envirothon Championship. Students will compete for the chance to win cash prizes as well as the opportunity to represent Ontario at the North American Envirothon that will take place in Ontario for the first time this summer. Students will compete against teams from over 50 states and provinces for the North American championship title. The North American Envirothon will take place at Trent University in Peterborough from July 24-29.

The Ontario Envirothon enables students to venture beyond the classroom and take part in conservation efforts in their community. The program inspires participants to be more aware of how our actions impact our environment and prepares students to pursue studies and careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

Ontario Envirothon Facts:

• Engages 1,000+ students every year through workshops and learning resources
• 70% of past participants surveyed said the program encouraged them to pursue a career in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM)
• More than 150 school teams participate in regional competitions

WHAT:	The Ontario Envirothon Provincial Championship.
WHO:	Hosted by Forests Ontario in partnership with Fleming College.
	More than 100 students participating from across Ontario.
WHEN:	May 29^th June 1^st, 2016
WHERE:	Fleming College, Frost Campus
	Lindsay, Ontario

Participating Schools:
Durham-Peterborough Region - O'Neill CVI
Eastern Ontario Region - St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School
Elk Lake Region - Roland Michener Secondary School
Franco-ontarien – ESC Theriault
Franco-ontarien – ESC Casselman         
Grand River Region - Waterloo Collegiate Institute 
Grey-Bruce Region - West Hill Secondary School
Hamilton Wentworth - Cardinal Newman High School 
Halton-Peel Region - Turner Fenton Secondary School
Huron-Perth Region - Goderich District Collegiate Institute
Lanark Region - Smith Falls District CI   
Niagara Region - Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School
Simcoe-Dufferin Region - Twin Lakes Secondary 
Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry Region - North Dundas District HS
Southwestern Region - East Elgin Secondary School 
Toronto Region - University of Toronto Schools
Thunder Bay Region - Sir Winston Churchill CVI
York Region - St. Elizabeth Catholic HS

About Fleming College
Located in the heart of Central Ontario, Fleming College has campus locations in Peterborough, Lindsay, Cobourg and Haliburton. Named for famous Canadian inventor and engineer Sir Sandford Fleming, the college features more than 100 full-time programs in Arts and Heritage, Community Development and Health, Continuing Education, Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, General Arts and Science, Justice and Business, and Skilled Trades and Technology. Fleming College has more than 5,900 full-time and 10,000 part-time students, and more than 65,000 alumni.

About Forests Ontario
Forests Ontario is the voice for our forests. Working to promote a future of healthy forests sustaining healthy people, Forests Ontario is committed to the re-greening of Ontario through tree planting efforts on rural lands and in urban areas, as well as the renewal and stewardship of Ontario's forests through restoration, education and awareness. Visit www.forestsontario.ca or follow us @Forests_Ontario.

SOURCE Forests Ontario

Video with caption: "Envirothon prepares students for green careers by giving them skills and confidence in fields including environmental sciences and natural resources, as well as building critical thinking and collaboration. As one of Forests Ontario’s premiere education programs, Ontario Envirothon encourages students to get outdoors and learn about environmental management in a fun and informative setting that inspires a love of nature.". Video available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kzxds5nQ9OQ

Image with caption: "The Ontario Envirothon Provincial Championship will bring together students from 18 schools across Ontario to build and test their skills in managing and caring for our natural ecosystems. (CNW Group/Forests Ontario)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160519_C1695_PHOTO_EN_694907.jpg

For more information, photos or to arrange an interview please contact: Jessica Kaknevicius, Education Programs Manager, Forests Ontario, 416.646.1193 x.226, [email protected]; Jeannette Holder, Communications Manager, Forests Ontario, 416.646.1193 ext. 257, Cell: 416.522-8140, [email protected]