SAVE THE DATE:

2026 Massachusetts Envirothon will be Thursday, May 21, 2026 at Hopkinton State Park

Registration is open!

2026 Competition Overview

Welcome to the Massachusetts Envirothon!

The Massachusetts Envirothon is a dynamic, hands-on environmental education program and competition that challenges high school students to think critically, work collaboratively, and engage locally. Each year, teams from across the Commonwealth come together to showcase their knowledge, creativity, and commitment to sustainability.

Teams are evaluated in five key areas:

  • 🌳 Forestry – Explore the science of trees, forest ecosystems, and sustainable management.
  • 🐾 Wildlife – Investigate native species, habitats, and conservation strategies.
  • 💧Water – Dive into water quality, aquatic organisms, and watershed dynamics.
  • 🌍 Soils  – Unearth the secrets of soil health.
  • 🔍 Current Issue – Tackle a pressing environmental challenge through research, community engagement, and a team presentation.

Together, these five areas form the foundation of the Massachusetts Envirothon experience—where learning meets leadership and students become stewards of the future. 

Let the exploration begin!

1. Eco-Stations

Once your Team registers, your Team will have access to technical manuals for the following eco stations: Forestry, Wildlife, Water, and Soils. These technical resources will prepare your team for competing in the May Massachusetts Envirothon Competition. The Competition will include taking hands-on eco-station tests. 40-minutes is allocated for each eco-station test.

Sample tests from previous years are available here:

2. 2026 Current Issue: Living Sponge Communities

The 2026 Massachusetts Envirothon theme challenges Teams to explore how stormwater shapes our environment and communities—and how we can design landscapes that absorb water like a sponge. From streets and rooftops to parks and schoolyards, Teams will investigate how everyday spaces impact water quality, flooding, and ecosystem health.

Through science-based research, creative design, and community outreach, teams will develop real-world solutions—like rain gardens, permeable pavements, and green infrastructure—to reduce pollution and protect groundwater. It’s a call to action for resilient, water-smart communities across Massachusetts.

Teams will be scored accordingly:

  • 20%: Forestry Eco-Station Test
  • 20%: Wildlife Eco-Station Test
  • 20%: Water Eco-Station Test
  • 20%: Soils Eco-Station Test
  • 20%: Current Issue, comprised of:
    • 10% Board Content
    • 10% Presentation

Multiple types of awards and recognitions will be offered. Details to come.

Calling All Voices Spoken Word/Poetry Slam competition

NEW! This year we are also offering the Calling All Voices Spoken Word/Poetry Slam competition, in which a team or a team member writes and performs original poetry focused on the environment. More details are available here:

Examples of environmental spoken word/poetry slam: 

To participate in the Spoken Word/Poetry Slam, your team will be required to provide a video (up to three minutes) of your submission by February 13th, 2026. All submissions will be scored. Finalists will present at the May 21st, 2026 Massachusetts Envirothon.

There will be awards and recognitions for each competition section.