Nature-Based Environmental Competitions Take Over Province This Month

Throughout April, more than 700 Ontario high school students will participate in 2017 Ontario Envirothon Regional Competitions. Students will participate in interactive field trips to forests, parks, woodlots, and conservation areas. On-site workshops—led by professionals in forestry, resource management, natural sciences, and conservation--will focus on the science and sustainable management of soils, wildlife, forests and aquatic ecosystems. (CNW Group/Forests Ontario)

Students to Compete in 2017 Ontario Envirothon Regional Competitions

TORONTO, April 6, 2017 /CNW/ - Throughout April, more than 700 Ontario high school students will participate in 2017 Ontario Envirothon Regional Competitions. The Ontario Envirothon has helped students acquire an education in environmental health and natural ecosystems since 1994.

Students from 15 Ontario regions--from Toronto to Thunder Bay—will participate in interactive field trips to forests, parks, woodlots, and conservation areas. On-site workshops—led by professionals in forestry, resource management, natural sciences, and conservation--will focus on the science and sustainable management of soils, wildlife, forests and aquatic ecosystems. This year's theme of Sustainable Farming will also broaden students' understanding of the role of agriculture in Canada and steps being taken to improve sustainability.

Participants also compete in a series of challenges, designed to enhance understanding of local ecosystems, in which they can apply their acquired knowledge and skills. The winning team from each region will progress to the Ontario Envirothon Championship, to be held at Fleming College in Lindsay, Ontario from May 28^th to 31^st. Participants will access Fleming's School of Environmental & Resource Sciences, as well as information on post-secondary programs related to environmental stewardship. They will also compete for cash prizes provided by Maple Leaves Forever awarded to the top three teams.

Envirothon programs are hosted in more than 50 North American states and provinces. The top team from each, Ontario included, will advance to the annual NCF- Envirothon. This year, the 2017 NCF-Envirothon will be held from July 23^rd to July 29^th in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

Forests Ontario extends immense gratitude to the hundreds of teachers, program leaders, regional coordinators, and volunteers that make the Envirothon possible. Please visit ontarioenvirothon.ca for more information.

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.

Ontario Envirothon
Ontario Envirothon is a unique environmental education program that takes high school students outdoors for hands-on environmental learning and discovery. The Ontario Envirothon builds environmental awareness in youth and provides career mentorship. For more information, visit www.ontarioenvirothon.ca.

2017 Ontario Envirothon regional competitions

Algoma Workshop Day – March 29 – Sault College Competition – May 12 and 13 – TBD   Durham Workshop Day – April 18 – Camp Samac Competition Day – April 25 – Camp Samac   Franco-ontarien Workshop & Competition – April 26 and 27 – Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary   Grand River Workshop Day – April 6 – Huron Natural Area Competition Day – April 20 – University of Waterloo   Grey/Bruce Competition Day – April 25 – Sydenham Sportsmen's Association Clubhouse   Halton/Peel Workshop Day – April 19 – Terra Cotta Conservation Area Competition Day – May 3 – Terra Cotta Conservation Area   Huron/Perth Workshop Day – April 19 – Wildwood Conservation Area Competition Day – May 2 – Maitland Woods   Niagara Workshop Day – April 19 – Ball's Falls Conservation Area Competition Day – May 3 – Ball's Falls Conservation Area   Northwestern Competition Day – April 20th – Vernon Nature Area

Ottawa Workshop Days – April 25th to 26th – MacSkimming Centre Competition Day – May 3rd – MacSkimming Centre   Peterborough/Kawartha/Northumberland Workshop Day – April 10 – Fleming College (Peterborough) Competition Day – April 20 – Fleming College (Peterborough)   South Western Ontario Workshop Day – April 18 – Springwater Conservation Area Competition Day – May 2 – Springwater Conservation Area   Stormont/Dundas/Glengarry Workshop Days – April 5 and April 19 – Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary and St. Lawrence River Institute Competition Day – May 3 – St. Lawrence River Institute   Thunder Bay Workshop Day – April 28 – Kingfisher Outdoor Education Centre Competition Day – April 29 – Kingfisher Outdoor Education Centre Toronto Workshop Day – April 13 – York University Competition Day – April 19 – Ontario Science Centre   York Workshop Day – April 18 – Bill Fisch Forest Stewardship and Education Centre Competition Day – April 27 – Bill Fisch Forest Stewardship and Education Centre

SOURCE Forests Ontario

For further information: or to arrange an interview, please contact: Jeannette Holder, Communications Manager, Forests Ontario, Tel: [phone], ext. 257, E-mail: [email protected]

Related Links

www.forestsontario.ca