Conservation Meets the Magnolia State: Envirothon 2026 Comes to Starkville

Starkville, Mississippi – From July 19-25, 2026, the National Conservation Foundation, in partnership with the Mississippi Soil and Water Conservation Commission, will host the NCF-Envirothon at Mississippi State University. The NCF-Envirothon is an international environmental and natural resources academic competition for high school students.

“We are excited for the opportunity to bring together 43 teams from 41 states and 2 provinces in North America. This competition allows students and future conservation leaders to connect and learn in a unique way,” said Jeremy Peters, NCF executive director.

The theme of this year’s competition, “Non-point Source Pollution: It Begins at Home,” reflects Mississippi’s strong tie to water resources. During the competition, students will be challenged to consider how their everyday actions impact water quality, ecosystems and community health.

The event will kick off with the opening ceremony on Sunday, July 19, at 7 p.m. Throughout the week, students will learn through hands-on activities, demonstrations and team collaboration.

“Envirothon allows students to have hands-on experience with the environment and be able to interact in a way that’s different than just in a classroom. We get to do tests and explore real-world applications for what we’re learning. It also allows us to connect with other peers, from around our state to across the world. It is a very unique experience and one that I really value,” shared Rachell Austin, a Utah Envirothon alum.

The event will culminate with the awards ceremony on Friday, July 24, at 7 p.m. During this ceremony, the top teams will be recognized for their accomplishments. Again this year, the top three team announcements and oral presentations will be livestreamed on the NCF-Envirothon YouTube channel. 

The 2026 competition is supported by a generous group of sponsors, including the Mississippi Soil and Water Conservation Commission, Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, Mississippi Association of Conservation Districts, Mississippi State University, Amazon, Canon U.S.A. and others. 

The NCF-Envirothon team is excited to welcome all students, advisors, guests and volunteers to this year’s competition. For more information and how to get involved, visit 2026 NCF-Envirothon Mississippi.

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The National Conservation Foundation (NCF) is a 501(c)3 organization that aims to identify and advance strategic programs and partnerships to deliver conservation solutions through locally led conservation and to develop the next generation of conservation leaders. NCF-Envirothon is a program of NCF. Visit the NCF website to learn more.

NCF-Envirothon is a hands-on, environmental problem-solving competition that builds leadership skills for high school students grades 9-12 (ages 14-19) in the United States, Canada, China and Singapore. NCF-Envirothon’s mission is to educate students about the environment and conservation of natural resources through hands-on outdoor experiences, academic study and collaborative competitions. The program educates future stewards, promotes E-STEM (environment, science, technology, engineering and math) education, creates community awareness, and fosters appreciation and respect for the natural world. Visit the NCF-Envirothon website to learn more.