The Envirothon is a hands-on, high school academic competition on the environment. Knowledge and skills are tested in outdoor environments such as a nature center, camp, forest, or park. There are two levels of competition, the regional competition, a one-day format, and the state competition, a two-day format. Testing at both competitions involves visiting five stations, one for each study unit, located within easy walking distance from other stations at the competition site.

Teams move between competition stations in groups of up to five teams per group. At each station, team examinations are administered by the station coordinator. Tests contain many question formats including narrative responses, true/false, fill in the blank, multiple choice, and matching. Teams may also be given a brief presentation by the station coordinator on ecosystem issues important to that station. Teams have 45 minutes per station except at the state presentation station which is conducted in a "scenario" format which lasts 20 minutes.