We are excited to invite your high school students to participate in the 2025 Fred B. Miller, Jr. Regional Envirothon Competition, a unique and dynamic learning experience designed to inspire and educate high school students about environmental sciences.
 
This year’s competition will take place at:
Tree Hill Nature Center
7152 Lone Star Rd
Jacksonville, FL 32211
 
Date: February 19th, 2025
Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

The Fred B. Miller, Jr. Regional Envirothon is a hands-on, problem-solving academic competition where students in grades 9-12 apply critical thinking to address complex environmental issues. Working in teams of five with two alternates, students engage with professional scientists, foresters, and wildlife experts as they explore key environmental topics, including:
 
Soils & Land Use: Students interpret maps, analyze soil structure, and evaluate landforms and soil characteristics that impact agriculture and development.
 
Aquatic Ecology: Guided by biologists, students assess aquatic ecosystems, manage watershed areas, and identify sources of non-point pollution.
 
Forestry: Foresters teach students about maintaining forest ecosystems, species identification, and forest management practices.
 
Wildlife: Wildlife experts introduce students to habitat conservation and animal population dynamics.
 
Environmental Issues: Teams work on a current environmental issue, examining the complexity of real-world environmental decisions.
 
Participating in the Envirothon helps students to develop critical research, problem-solving, teamwork, and presentation skills—all while instilling a deeper understanding of their environmental impact and a passion for sustainable practices.
 
Format and Preparation
The competition includes hands-on activities, written questions, and an oral presentation. Each team must have an advisor, such as a teacher or group leader, to guide and support their preparation. Comprehensive resources and study guides are available here (flenvirothon.com/study-guides), enabling students to delve into each topic with confidence. Schools may choose to have team members specialize in individual subjects or take a collaborative approach to cover all areas.
 
Deadline to submit the team intent to compete form: January 15th, 2025

Workshops:
Two regional workshop opportunities are available:
WILDLIFE & AQUATICS WORKSHOP #1:
February 1st, 2025
9am – 12pm
Randolph STEM Center
1157 Golfair Blvd
Jacksonville, FL 32209
 
FORESTRY & SOILS WORKSHOP #2:
February 8th, 2025
9am – 12pm
10790 Key Haven Blvd Cabin #3
Jacksonville, FL 32218

This event promises to be a memorable, challenging, and educational experience for students, offering them the opportunity to explore environmental careers and contribute to a brighter future. We hope your schools will take part in this valuable competition.

Winning teams of the regional competition will be invited to the state, with advancement to the international level in April, 2025 in Canada – focusing on the theme Roots and Resiliency: Fostering Forest Stewardship in a Canopy of Change. 

Thank you for encouraging student engagement in environmental education and helping us inspire the next generation of environmental stewards. The registration form can be found here (https://forms.gle/73XPtkToPCFLY8eA8), and some helpful information, important links, and study guides can be found on the Envirothon Google Drive. 

​Please feel free to reach out to the competition coordinators for any questions:
Joyce Miller, Coordinator  
[email protected] (410) 688-2365 
 
Sel Buyuksarac 
[email protected] (904) 859-1133

The Duval Soil & Water Conservation District is looking to fill Vacancies on the Board.

If you would like to become more involved with the Duval Soil and Water Conservation District as an elected voting member please submit a statement of interest to [email protected] by February 3rd and attend the Planning Meeting on February 7th at 3:30 PM.

Note: Planning Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month at the Duval County Extension Office, 1010 N. McDuff Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32254, at 3:30 p.m. 

We are excited to again host the annual Speech and Poster Contest! The winners of the Duval County Speech Contest receive a cash prize, plus one student will get an invitation to compete regionally and statewide for grades 6-12th. The poster contest is an additional way to compete in the competition for grades K-12. 

This year the Speech & Poster Contest will be 100% Virtual.  Students must submit their entry online for judging.

The topic for both competitions is "ONE WATER" relating to watersheds. Speeches are to be no more than 5-7 minutes. Independent research on the topic works to further educate students in conservation and natural resources, while public speaking provides a host of additional benefits. Artistic skills are called on for the poster contest, and all ages are encouraged to participate. Cash prizes are given to top winners.

Entry Deadline  April 17th, 2023 at 11:59 PM.  Turn in to the Google Forms Below.

Poster Contest:
https://forms.gle/xzrebSizwaTTjgJa8 

Speech Contest:
https://forms.gle/8MgmvYSYDCzWGMBMA

 Please download the ENTRY FORMS below.
No electronic signatures

CASH PRIZES:
2023 Speech Contest:
First place - $ 50.00
Second place - $ 30.00
Third place - $ 20.00

2023 Poster contest:
Categories - K-1; 2-3; 4-6; 7-9; 10-12
First place - $ 40.00 for each Category 
Second place - $ 20.00 for each  Category 
Third place - $ 10.00 for each Category

Mark your calendars for the inaugural Hug-a-Farmer Spring Market on March 22nd. We've partnered with the Murray Hill Farmers Market to bring you  the newest addition to our Start Farming program.  Visit each farmer to fill out your passport then show appreciation to our First Coast Farmers by making a paper hug at our card making station. Come out to learn more about the Duval Soil and Water Conservation District and about careers in Agriculture. We'll also be announcing our 2023 Start Farming Mentees. ​

The Florida Envirothon Committee has developed a Resource Study Guide that is online and readily available to all students and teachers who may be interested in participating in the subject event. Additional materials are available at www.envirothon.org and on the PDF below.
​
 
“It's so important that we offer students a comprehensive study of our land, water, wildlife, and current issues while in high school. With the Envirothon competition, kids are competing for a trophy and they get to learn outside. We hope that every high school in Duval County will send a team to the Envirothon”, says Jennifer Casey, former Chairperson for the Duval Soil and Water Conservation District.

​See pictures and find resources on the Duval County Envirothon Facebook page.
 
To learn more or to volunteer, contact​ Joyce Miller (410) 688-2365 [email protected] or Allen Moore (904) 465-0678 [email protected].­­

REGISTRATION FORM:

Applications are now open for the 2023 Start Farming Mentorship program! The goal of the mentorship is to empower Duval County residents with the tools and information necessary to start their own farm or agribusiness. With a mix of in-person workshops, virtual training, and on-site farm tours, mentees will learn about sustainable farming practices, resources available to start a farm and issues in farming practice. The program will take place from March to December 2023. To receive a certificate of completion and invitation to the private closing celebration, mentees must attend at least 80% of programs offered. 

Program includes:
Farm tours: Urban Farm, Bio-diverse & Regenerative Farm, Rural Farm, Livestock/Animal Husbandry Farm
In-person workshop: Water Conservation, Soil Health & Composting, Pollinators
Virtual workshops: Business Planning, Understanding the Farm Bill, Cottage Food & Value Added Products
Other: Hug-a-Farmer Day & Spring Market, Start Farming Panel & Holiday Market, Mentorship Closing Celebration

The Start Farming Mentorship program is open to new farmers who reside in Duval County and are interested in starting a farm business. Preference will be given to past attendees of the District’s annual Start Farming events. Applications are only accepted online through this Google Form and must be submitted by March 12, 2023. Please note that there will be a small charge associated with this program. Additional details including event dates will be provided if you are chosen for the mentorship. If you have any questions or comments, please email us at [email protected]

The Duval Soil and Water Conservation District was proud to host our 6th annual Start Farming Panel Discussion and Market on December 7th at the Duval County Agricultural Extension. Each year the event features panelists of local farmers and agency representatives that educate the community on ways in which they can get involved in farming. This year the panel discussion included Charlie Harrold of Charley’s Chicks, Brian Lapinski of Down to Earth Farm, Jon Johnson who is a senior forester with the Florida Forest Service and Tonya Ashworth who is the UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Extension Agent.

In addition to our amazing panelists, we heard from participants in our Start Farming Mentorship program and enjoyed a holiday market where attendees were able to purchase locally grown produce and plants as well as holiday gift items from local makers and artisans. Guests also enjoyed an amazing dinner from Wild Pie, a 100% plant-based pizza food truck.
​
Each year the Board recognizes a “Conservation Teacher of the Year” who has demonstrated a strong conservation ethic and has put conservation into action in the classroom. At this year’s event, we were pleased to recognize Norah Betancourt of Stanton College Preparatory School. Norah teaches AP Environmental Science, has a background in biology and loves the outdoors, particularly our national parks. Her students have won our annual poster contest and have participated in our Regeneration Park project, which is our community stewardship project in the Urban Core. We recognize her dedication to helping the next generation preserve and protect our natural resources.

The Duval Soil and Water Conservation District has been advocating for voluntary, locally-led conservation for 70 years. We want to thank the Jacksonville Environmental Protection Board for making it possible for us to offer this event annually as a free service to our citizens and our agricultural community!