History of Envirothon

The Envirothon originated in 1979 as the "Environmental Olympics." The first event was sponsored by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts and included three conservation districts. By 1988, the idea caught on and the first national competition was held.

Today the program has grown to include approximately 50 states and Canadian provinces and is North America's largest high school environmental competition.

In 1999, Canon USA became the title sponsor and the competition is now officially the Canon Envirothon.

Utah held its first annual Envirothon in 1998, thanks to the Utah Association of Conservation Districts, which agreed to commit annual seed money and staff support. Each year the statewide competition is held in the spring rotating around the state to new locations. For more information on past competitions, click here.