May 21 and 22, 2026 —

Acadia University proudly hosted the annual Nova Scotia Envirothon, welcoming ten high school teams from across the province to compete for the 2026 provincial title. This hands-on environmental science competition continues to cultivate curiosity, critical thinking, and a connection to the natural world in youth across Nova Scotia.

What is Envirothon?

The Nova Scotia Envirothon is part of the NCF (National Conservation Foundation) Envirothon, a North America–wide program that engages students in Grades 9 through 12 in experiential learning centered on environmental science and natural resource management.

Participants are tested in core areas including aquatics, forestry, soils, and wildlife. In addition to these field tests, students work in teams to develop a solution to a real-world environmental issue through a case study, which they present to a panel of judges. This year’s case study theme was Non-Point Source Pollution. The Nova Scotia competition asked students to solve a case study based on a fictional town in Digby County encountering E. coli contamination from multiple sources, with impact on tourism, farming, and aquaculture. 

Annually, Nova Scotia Envirothon partners with a group of experts to create the case study based on the theme set by NCF Envirothon. This year, our case study was created by Acadia engineering students Matthew Barbour, Eliza Stokesbury-Price and professor Dr. Jennie Rand. Envirothon organizer Sarah Hines says, “I am impressed, and grateful, to our Acadia students Eliza and Matthew for the work they did to prepare a challenging case study for Envirothon participants. I think high school students engaging with content that university students prepared is incredibly motivating”. 

In addition to the competition elements, Envirothon students attended a panel titled “Charting a Path After High School”, did an interactive tour of our engineering department, learned about native plants in the Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens, completed team building activities, and participated in an art activity through our sponsor Nourish Nova Scotia.  

Congratulations to the 2026 Provincial Champions

The 2026 Provincial Champions are Team A from Northeast Kings Education Centre, in Canning Nova Scotia. Congratulations to team members Joshua Tshimanga, Nico Kay Ayla, Thomas Duke, Aidan Langille, Kay Johnson, Jenna Forsythe, and their teacher Ms. Jennifer Healy. 

The reserve champions are Team B from Dartmouth High School. Congratulations to the team members Nolen Mitchell, Rebecca Riley, Olivia MacLean, Mia Bowser, Isla Doncaster, and their teachers Ms. Sarah Conde and Ms. Robyn Pennell.  

The third place team is Team A from Sackville High School. Congratulations to team members Grayson Downey, Jesstine Suewirotjanakun, Julia Guthrie, Kateryna Bilash, Finley Steele Kayla Specht, and teacher Ms. Karen Trenholm. 

All participating students demonstrated exceptional professionalism, kindness and collaborative spirit. Judges and volunteers were impressed by the students’ engagement, curiosity, and passion for environmental science. 

Thank You to our Volunteers and Sponsors

Nova Scotia Envirothon is grateful to the 30+ volunteers that made our 2026 event a success. Representatives from Nova Scotia Department of Resources and Renewables, Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture, Acadia University and Ducks Unlimited Canada gave time to this event. 

This year, Nourish Nova Scotia joined Envirothon as a sponsor and provided programming to students. The objective was to introduce Nova Scotia Envirothon participants to Nourish Nova Scotia’s mission of empowering youth through education and engagement with local sustainable food systems, and to introduce the students to the various food literacy and climate action programs that Nourish Nova Scotia administers.  The Nourish team provided art activities and a lunch and learn to Envirothon students.

The K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre and Acadia University served as presenting sponsors. Additional support was generously provided by Nourish Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables, Acadia’s Office of Research & Innovation, and Made with Local. 

Cash Prize Award

Snapshots of Envirothon