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Current Issue

Envirothon allows you to explore a current environmental issue each year and relate it to the core Envirothon topics (forestry, soils, wildlife and aquatics). The Ontario Forestry Association prepares materials on the Current Issue each year with examples and case studies specific to Ontario.

2011 - 2012 Non Point Source Pollution and Low Impact Development

Nonpoint source (NPS) pollution is water pollution that accumulates over a widespread area and enters into water bodies, such as polluted runoff from agricultural areas entering a stream. Stormwater runoff from precipitation events picks up and carries natural and human - made pollutants, finally depositing them into streams, rivers, reservoirs and other bodies or water. Pollutants can come from all land uses.

One major efforts that is used to combat the effects of NPS pollution is the increased use of Low impact development (LID) practices. LID attempts to manage stormwater runoff at its source by increasing infiltration rates, evapotranspiration rates, and reuse of rainwater, thereby reducing how much water travels into streams, lakes and other water bodies. LID practices enhance natural systems and mimic the water cycle through the use of site design and planning techniques. These include things like preserving and recreating natural landscape features, minimizing the use of impervious sources like asphalt, and creating functional and appealing drainage areas like rain gardens that use runoff as a resources rather than a water product. Through these combined practices, stormwater runoff in both urban and rural areas can be managed to have neutral or even positive effects on the environment.

Note: To download the current issue you will need to have registered for the competition. If you have not yet registered, please do so here.

Non Point Source Pollution and Low Impact Development Study Guide

Supplementing Videos!

Thanks to Fleming College we have some supplementing videos for this year's study guide: