2008 Current Issue
is
Outdoor Recreation and the Environment

What is the Massachusetts Envirothon Current Issue?

In this component of the Envirothon program, teams research a current environmental issue as it occurs in their own community, then prepare a presentation on their findings and proposed solutions.  Each year the Massachusetts Envirothon Committee takes the Canon Envirothon's Current Issue and works to ensure that the topic is relevant to ALL Massachusetts communities.  Wide-ranging community research is encouraged, including field study, interviews of scientists, advocates, local officials, and residents, internet and library searches, map reading, and visits to town hall.

Many teams take what they learn in their current issue research and apply it in a community action project.  Any team that demonstrates high research standards in their current issue work, or applies their Envirothon learning in a service project, is eligible for an Envirothon Community Award.

At the state competition in May, the team makes a presentation of their Current Issue findings  and recommendations to a panel of judges (including natural resource managers, local and state officials, environmental advocates, and others) who score them and provide helpful feedback on their knowledge, proposed solutions, and presentation skill.  A highlight of the experience is the interaction between the teams and the judges when the scoring is completed.  After the morning competition, teams have a chance to share their current issue research and community action projects informally at a lunchtime “roundtables” session.

Primary Resources

2008 Current Issue Questions and Resources
March 2008 Current Issue Update
MA Envirothon Current Issue Problem 2008
Current Issue Score Sheet 2008
Judging Guidelines 2008

Other Resources

Handouts from the UMass Workshop
Tips for Using the Web as Information Source

Community Research and Action Awards
(Including a checklist for current issue research.)

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Past Current Issues

2007 Energy Conservation & Renewable Energy for MA Communities
2006 Acting Locally for Climate Protection
2005 Protecting Cultural Landscapes
2004 Natural Resource Management in the Urban Environment
2003 Strengthening Local Food Systems
2002 Introduced Species and Biodiversity
2001 Stormwater Management
2000 Wetland Conservation
1999 Open Space Planning
1998 Watershed Management
1997 Pest Management
1996 Community Wastewater Treatment and Disposal

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