NH Envirothon—Aquatics Team Cover Letter
2015 New Hampshire Envirothon: Urban/Community Forestry
Dear Participants:
This letter was structured to help you prepare for the aquatics section of this year’s New Hampshire Envirothon
competition. Previous aquatics tests have included the following concepts:
 Assessing water quality and stream flow data using tables and graphs;
 Map interpretation, especially topographic maps (be able to figure out which way the water flows and the basic
map symbols and characteristics);
 Basic macroinvertebrate identification – It is not necessary to memorize the names, but you should have a
general understanding of the organisms and what they indicate about biodiversity and water quality; and
 Sources of nutrients and other pollutants, pressures of development, and how to mitigate or remediate
pollution problems (Best Management Practices or BMPs).
Questions often refer to on-site visual aids (i.e. trays of insects), topographic maps, tabular and graphical data, etc. Be
sure to answer each question thoroughly and provide an explanation for your answer when applicable. It is to your
advantage to answer each question to the best of your ability, as we give partial credit for acceptable answers. Our test
is designed to see how well you apply your knowledge to support your conclusions. We recommend that teams involve
all team members to complete the entire exam in the time given.
What is Urban/Community Forestry?
According to the U.S. Forest Service, this can be defined as the planting and care of landscape trees, collectively, in
human settlements. Urban and community forests can include urban parks, street trees, landscaped boulevards, public
gardens, river and coastal promenades, greenways, river corridors, wetlands, nature preserves, natural areas, shelter
belts of trees and working trees at industrial Brownfield (formerly contaminated, now remediated) sites.
What are the benefits of urban/community forests?
These dynamic ecosystems can provide needed environmental services by cleaning air and water, helping to control
stormwater runoff, reducing nonpoint source pollution, and conserving energy. They add form, structure, beauty and
breathing room to urban design, reduce noise, separate incompatible uses, provide places to recreate, strengthen social
cohesion, leverage community revitalization, and add economic value to our communities.
What is nonpoint source pollution?
Nonpoint source pollution occurs when water runs over land (e.g., agricultural fields) or other impervious surfaces, like
roofs and pavement, picks up pollutants, and deposits them into rivers, lakes and coastal waters, or discharges them to
the groundwater. These pollutants can include grease, oils, salt and sand from roadways and equipment; agricultural
chemicals from farmlands; sediments, crop and forest lands, eroding stream banks; nutrients and toxic materials from
everyday life activities. The effects of nonpoint source pollutants on specific waters vary and may not always be fully
assessed. However, we know that these pollutants have harmful effects on drinking water supplies, farming, recreation,
fisheries and wildlife.
We look forward to seeing all of you at the training day!
Good luck to you all, The New Hampshire Envirothon Aquatics Team