The 2026 Massachusetts Envirothon will take place on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at Hopkinton State Park. This dynamic, hands-on event is where high school students step into the role of environmental problem-solvers. Student teams tackle real-world challenges across forestry, soils, water, and wildlife, and present innovative solutions to issues facing Massachusetts communities. This year’s theme, Living Sponge Communities: Strategies for Mitigating Environmental Impacts from Stormwater, brings urgency and creativity together—connecting climate resilience and land use in powerful ways.

The LSPA is proud to be an EcoStation Sponsor at the Envirothon, but we are also coordinating a group of LSPA members to volunteer at the event. Volunteers can assist for the full day or half a day, and in the following roles:

What's the difference between a fine sand and a silt? What is the modified Burmister System? Earlier this week, the LSPA’s Emerging Professionals Committee (EPC) held a soil classification training that answered those questions, and more.  Michael Trovato, a Project Environmental Scientist at Tighe & Bond, presented a hands-on introduction to this topic.  Beforehand, participants enjoyed a light dinner and socializing.  We invite you to join us at our next event!  Learn more about the EPC and connect with committee chairs here.

The LSPA's Emerging Professionals Committee (EPC) is dedicated to providing educational & social programs for professionals who are new to environmental consulting in Massachusetts. 

In November 2021, the EPC presented, “To LSP or Not to LSP" Career Path Considerations in Environmental Consulting. During the event, a panel of four speakers discuss various career track options in the Environmental Assessment and Remediation Industry, their backgrounds and how they ended up in their current role. This video will help to provide new professionals and college/grad students an idea of the different types of careers they could pursue within the industry.

Last night, LSPA’s Emerging Professionals Committee hosted Introduction to Drilling Techniques with Technical Drilling Services (TDS). At the sold-out event at their headquarters in Sterling, TDS demonstrated various drilling and monitoring well installation methods.  Environmental consultants along with students from Bridgewater State University (BSU) learned about basic drilling/sampling techniques (including continuous and discrete soil cores) and groundwater monitoring well installations on a 15-foot monitoring well.  

Here are a few photos from the event (photo credit to Michael Penzo).