Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) high school students are preparing for the Envirothon, celebrating its 30^th anniversary this year.

The Envirothon is a problem-solving academic competition that is the culmination of lessons learned during seasonal trainings at the Charles Soil Conservation District. The first of the trainings was held Oct. 19 when students received an overview of what they would be studying throughout the year. Students flipped through field guides to familiarize themselves with wildlife, used an auger to collect soil samples for comparison, carved out waterways on maps and learned how to identify native plants and trees.

During the Envirothon, students answer questions in five categories — aquatics, forestry, soils, wildlife and a current environmental issue. The last topic changes each year. This year the fifth topic is adapting to a changing climate. It prompts students to learn about factors contributing to a changing climate, the effects of the changes on the environment and natural resources, and the challenges facing natural resource dependent communities. They will learn about strategies for mitigating and adapting to a changing climate, and the roles of technologies and programs in responding to local and global change, according to Envirothon resources.

Students will receive two more trainings — one in February, another in March — before the April competition held at Gilbert Run Park. The top team at the local competition will advance to the state competition. The National Conservation Foundation (NCF) will hold the NCF Envirothon competition in July at Mount Allison University in New Brunswick, Canada.

About CCPS
Charles County Public Schools provides 27,000 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 37 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.

The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Kathy Kiessling, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.