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2010 Current Issue
Groundwater Protection


Primary Resources for 2010

Questions & Resources for Team Preparation
Strategies for Community Groundwater Research
2010 Current Issue Problem
Presentation Score Sheet 10
Guidelines for Judging 10


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.

Other Resources

Workshop Presentations

Paul Barten (UMass Dept of Natural Resource Conservation)
UMass workshop presentation slides
Why forests provide the best protection for water resources (essay)
The conservation of forests and water in New England . . . again (essay)
Overview of forest hydrology and forest management effects overview (technical outline)
Effects of development on groundwater (diagram)

Debbie Shriver (Mass Watershed Coalition)
Community Solutions for Stormwater: Protection for Surface & Groundwater

George Zoto (Mass Dept of Environmental Protection)
Protection of groundwater through urban, agricultural, and environmental planning

Norfolk Ram Group - Mark S. Bartlett, P.E., President
Protecting our water resources

See also EE notes page for articles and websites of interest.

Mass Envirothon Community Research and Action Awards web page
(including a checklist for community research)

Tips for Using the Web as Information Source
Roundtables at the Mass Envirothon
Judging Guidelines

Score Sheet

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Past Current Issues

2009 Renewable Energy: Getting it Right, Ecologically & Economically Resources / Problem
2008 Outdoor Recreation and the Environment Resources/ Problem
2007 Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy for MA Communities Resources / Problem
2006 Acting Locally for Climate Protection Resources / Problem
2005 Protecting Cultural Landscapes Resources / Problem
2004 Natural Resource Management in the Urban Environment Resources / Problem
2003 Strengthening Local Food Systems Resources / Problem
2002 Introduced Species and Biodiversity Resources / Problem
2001 Stormwater Management Resources / Problem
2000 Wetland Conservation
1999 Open Space Planning
1998 Watershed Management
1997 Pest Management
1996 Community Wastewater Treatment and Disposal


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For questions regarding the current issue, please contact
Will Snyder