Environmental Education Activities

Local Students Compete in Coastal Envirothon

On March 18, 2025, Pamlico had one middle school team compete at the 2025 NC Coastal Envirothon. The "Mariners" from Pamlico Christian Academy are made up of team members Mary Rose, Ryder Hoenig, Emmitt Nelson, Alexis Lilly, Ava Nolin, and Emma Mills. Team advisor is Dr. Donna Connell and co-advisor is Randy Nelson. The “Mariners” outscored the 10 competing teams in Area 6, winning first place in the area, third place overall in the eastern region, and qualified to compete at the NC State Envirothon. Congratulations to our winners and let’s support them as they continue to work hard to prepare for the state competition on May 2-3 at Cedarock Park in Alamance County! 

Envirothon is the most widely recognized hands-on environmental education program in the nation.  Middle and high school students immerse themselves in a year-long learning process that combines in-class curriculum with hands-on field experiences facilitated by resource professionals such as soil scientists, foresters, and wildlife specialists.  This intense training culminates in a competition where teams are tested in five subject areas:  Soils/Land Use, Aquatic Ecology, Forestry, Wildlife, and a current environmental issue.    

The NC Coastal Envirothon event was held at Weyerhaeuser’s Cool Springs Environmental Education Center in Craven County.  More than 400 middle and high school students competed in approximately 57 teams, vying for trophies and prizes.  The top fourteen teams (seven high school and seven middle school) from each Area, are eligible to advance to the state level North Carolina Envirothon.

Congratulations to all our students for challenging themselves to study environmental related materials to compete in our 2025 NC Coastal Envirothon.  Great job to their advisors for working with these students and encouraging them to push themselves and study something outside of the state standards that will help them be better stewards of our natural resources for generations to come.

Envirothon is the most widely recognized hands-on environmental education program in the nation.  Middle and high school students immerse themselves in a year-long learning process that combines in-class curriculum with hands-on field experiences facilitated by resource professionals such as soil scientists, foresters, and wildlife specialists.  This intense training culminates in a competition where teams are tested in five subject areas:  Soils/Land Use, Aquatic Ecology, Forestry, Wildlife, and a current environmental issue.   Scores determine winning placements.

A quote from Celeste Wescott Maus, Coastal Envirothon Committee Chair; “The 2024 Coastal Envirothon brings together middle and high school teams from public, private, parochial, and home schools located in 28 counties to compete in the Coastal Envirothon - one of the most comprehensive environmental educational events in the state.  The event’s sponsors, committee members and team advisors are dedicated and committed to ensure that this event is one of the best experiences for each team. On behalf of the Coastal Envirothon, I am indebted to everyone that supported the Coastal Envirothon and made this event an annual success!   

Locally, the Envirothon competition is coordinated by soil and water conservation districts and sponsored by the North Carolina Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

For more information on how to participate in local, regional, and state Envirothons, please visit http://www.ncenvirothon.org or contact your local soil and water conservation district at (252) 745-5064 x3.