WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the National Conservation Foundation (NCF) and the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD) announced the cancellation of the 2020 NCF-Envirothon to protect the health and safety of the general public and to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The annual event was slated for July 26 to Aug. 1, in Lincoln, Nebraska.

“This was not an easy decision, but our primary concern is the health and safety of the students, as well as the general public, and we feel it’s in the best interest to cancel the 2020 NCF-Envirothon Nebraska event at this time,” said NCF Chairman Steve Robinson. “We know that many students look forward to this competition and are truly sorry for this turn of events; however, we hope students stay engaged in the Envirothon mission, and we encourage them to look ahead to preparations for next year.”

The top priority for the organizers is the health and safety of students, advisors, volunteers, sponsors and education partners.

"The NARD’s goal, first and foremost, is to protect the health and safety of the general public and do whatever we can to assist in controlling the novel coronavirus,” said NARD President Jim Eschliman. “While the cancellation is a disappointment, our dedication to environmental education and protecting lives, property and the future through natural resources management remains strong. We look forward to welcoming NCF-Envirothon competitors to Nebraska in the future.”

The NCF-Envirothon is an environmental and natural resources education competition, reaching more than 25,000 high school students across the United States, Canada and China annually. The hands-on competition is held outdoors to give students a chance to take their classroom learning and apply it in a natural setting.

To protect public health, many local state and provincial Envirothon competitions have also been canceled across North America, including Nebraska’s state competition. The NCF, NARD and other state/provincial Envirothon program leaders continue to follow recommended guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“We thank the participants and volunteers for their ongoing dedication to the program, and we wish them and their families good health through these difficult times,” Robinson said.

Teams that have already registered to compete at the 2020 NCF-Envirothon will receive a full refund. Questions about the NCF-Envirothon can be directed to NCF-Envirothon Program Manager Jennifer Brooks at (800) 825-5547 or by email at administration [at] envirothon.org.

To learn more about the NCF-Envirothon or the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts, visit: www.envirothon.org or www.nrdnet.org.