Metro Area Envirothon

The Envirothon is a hands-on environmental education experience for both high school students (grades 9-12), and junior high students (grades 6-8). It combines classroom learning with outdoor activities. Through the Envirothon experience, students develop an understanding of effective teamwork, as well as learning about Minnesota's natural resources. 

Students visit five different testing stations, covering Aquatics, Forestry, Soils, Wildlife, and a current events issue which is determined each year by the NCF-Envirothon. Senior high students are also required to give a 10-minute oral presentation to a panel of judges, based on the current events issue. The three highest scoring senior high teams will advance to the Minnesota State Envirothon, where they will vie for a chance to represent Minnesota at the NCF-Envirothon.

If you are a teacher in the metro area and would like to be a part of the Envirothon, you can contact the Sherburne SWCD for more information.

Outdoor Classrooms at Local Schools

Schools in the area that are interested in setting up outdoor classrooms for studies on water quality, fertilizer use, ponds or wetlands, forestry, etc. should contact the SWCD for assistance.  Every school has natural resources on their grounds, whether it's water runoff from the roof or parking lot, to using the fertilizer on the grounds, or preserving its natural habitat.  Let the SWCD help you set up an outdoor classroom at your school, to learn how to manage our resources right in your schools backyard!

Outstanding Conservationists

Each year, the Carver SWCD Board of Supervisors identifies a number of candidates that have done an outstanding job using conservation treatments on their land, or within their community.  The SWCD Board evaluates and selects a candidate that best represents a cooperative effort with district programs.  This candidate is an honored guest of the Carver SWCD at the MASWCD State Convention.  A state winner is selected from the 90 local SWCD winners. 

Following is a list of past Carver SWCD Outstanding Conservationist winners:

• 2024 Peterson Farm, Eden Prairie
• 2023 Gnerer Farm, Cologne 
• 2022 Jeff Richards Family, Watertown 
• 2021 Schuette Family Farm, Mayer 
• 2019 Craig Eldred, City of Waconia Public Services Division Director

If you know of someone who you feel should be nominated to be the Carver County Outstanding Conservationist, please contact the SWCD office at (952) 466-5230.  We would be pleased to have your input!

Education Links/Resources for Kids and Educators

• Groundwater - Kids Corner
• Metro Area Children's Water Festival
• MN DNR Education & Safety
• Project Wet
• Project Wild
• Project Learning Tree
• Soil Education from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

Primary Contact: Felicia Brockoff, Administrative & Finance Specialist
11360 Highway 212, Suite 6 | Cologne, MN 55322 | Phone: (952) 466-5230

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