Description:

The Environmental and Natural Resources CDE is an ambitious approach to prepare students for all aspects of conservation biology careers as well as highlight the role that healthy ecosystems play in agriculture.

This CDE entails a college-level ecology exam, two ecological practicums (in which students perform/analyze actual ecological tests), and one group practicum where students address an agriculturally-related environmental issue as a team.

Students who participate are expected to a have a strong background in biology, ecology, and natural resources management. The winning team in this competition represents the Wisconsin FFA each year at the National FFA Convention.

Previous winners have had a broad understanding of ecology and natural resources and have been able to use this knowledge in their responses. This is the key emphasis of this competition - that participants can use their knowledge, not just repeat it.

The 2010 Wisconsin Environmental and Natural Resources Competition will be held (tentatively) at the UW-Madison Campus on April 30th. This is a change from previous years. We hope that by moving up the date to the time of most of the other state CDE's, we can enable more students to participate. We also hope to take advantage of the wide array of resources on the UW Campus at this time.

Registration details will be provided after January, 2010. If you have any questions, email the competition director, Craig Kohn with "WI ENR" in the subject line, or call at
262-534-3189 ext. 309. .

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Preparatory Materials

Competition Description, Rules, and Components

Ecology Concepts (Buzz Through Ecology)

Water Ecology

Population Ecology

Soil & Land Judging

Soil Testing & Report Analysis 1 and 2

Soil Nutrients

How to Accurately Sample Soils

Measures of Air Pollution

Ecological Habitats

2009 Contest Materials

Exam Packet (w/ individual practicums)

Soils Practicum 1 and 2

Group Practicum

Note: some of these are taken directly from classroom instruction - some aspects may not be completely applicable and the reader should focus primarily on the key concepts.

Wisconsin FFA Association: Growing Tomorrow's Environmental Leaders