the state/province levels. At the North American Competition, teams that rank first through tenth receive prizes and scholarships of various values. Competition week at the NCF-Envirothon level includes various workshops, field trips, and seminars led by professionals and educators for both the students and their advisors. Most of these outings are linked to the current issue topic and provide information on the area in which the competition is being held. During the competition, each team must complete five written field tests, each dealing with a different topic. These tests consist of various question types, including identifications and hands-on assessments. Each team must also prepare an oral presentation on the current issue topic, which the team presents to a panel of judges. An important element of the competition is the understanding that each topic is interrelated, and understanding human effects on the environment and how human activities connect with ecosystem functions. Each test is scored out of 100 points, with the presentation being scored out of 200 points. The team with the highest cumulative total of points at the end of the scoring is the winning team. Recognition is also given to teams with the highest scoring in each of the five categories. Competition locations The location of the North American competition is determined based on a regional map that separates North America into five general regions: Far West, Mid-West, Southeast, Northeast, and Far North. The host college or university is usually located in a different region than that of the year preceding it. For example, a competition (2013) was held in at Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana in the Far West. Competition Topics Each field test dealing with one of five competition topics requires both theoretical understandings and hand-on skills such as identification and chemical testing. Each topic also has a degree of relatedness to one another, which is sometimes considered in theoretical-based test questions. Aquatic Ecology Learning objectives include abiotic and Biotic factors, aquatic environments, and water protection and conservation, among other topics. The field test deals with these learning objectives, with focuses on the functions and significance of watersheds and wetlands; the connections between Water quality and aquatic organisms; and Water use, regulation, and threats such as Invasive species. Hands-on tasks conducted during the field test include identification of wetland types and species, outlining a watershed on a Topographic map, and performing chemical water quality tests. Forestry