Each year the Itasca SWCD participates in the Area VIII Envirothon, an environmental competition for high school teams to challenge their environmental knowledge and problem solving skills. Five learning stations are presented by natural resource professionals in the fields of water, wildlife, forestry, soils and a current environmental issue. In addition, students will be asked to make a 10 minute oral presentation on the current event issue at a sixth station. The contest takes place in an outdoor setting. Teams are composed of 4 to 5 students. At each station, teams are given a short presentation and students must then answer 20 questions specific to that site.

Any student teams, grades 9-12, from high schools, home schools, or club organizations (4-H, Boy/Girl Scouts etc.) in Area VIII may participate. Area VIII consists of the north central Minnesota counties of Itasca, Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, and Wadena. Each team needs an adult advisor, and lunch is provided!  For more information contact Corryn Trask with the Lake of the Woods SWCD; corryn.trask@mn.nacdnet.net