SIDNEY— The Shelby Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) has announced they are once again sponsoring the National Association of Conservation Districts’ (NACD) yearly poster competition in Shelby County. The competition encourages students to use their creative talents through their research on the chosen theme and gives them a voice of conservation stewardship.

This year’s theme is “One Water.” Have you ever watched it rain? The raindrops fall on the ground and flow through the soil. Water soaks through the soil until it reaches groundwater, which is water that moves through spaces in soil and rock underground. A lot of the water we use and drink every day comes from water in the ground. As it rains and the water runs off, it collects in rivers, lakes, and oceans and then returns to the atmosphere to fall as rain somewhere else. All land across the entire earth is made up of watersheds. We all live in a watershed. We share the water in our watershed with other people, with animals, and with plants because it is all one water. From the top of the mountain all the way to the coast, it is all one water.

Encouraging children to participate in this poster contest will allow them to research the importance of water and come up with a creative image to portray it. The posters will spark conversation in the classroom, at home, and in the media. The purpose is to capture people’s attention with a powerful graphic and inspire the community.

The Shelby SWCD will be giving away monetary awards to first and second places in each age group. The first-place winners will then be judged against all the other top posters in Ohio. Posters will also be used at Shelby SWCD education events held throughout the year.

Any K-12 student (public, private or home school) in Shelby County may enter the competition. Any media may be used, including paint, crayon, colored pencil, charcoal, stickers, paper, or other materials. The original poster may be any size, and a digital copy of the poster must be emailed in a JPEG format to [email protected] by May 5, 2023. An entry form (distributed to schools in Shelby County or available at Shelby SWCD) must accompany every poster submitted. Although younger students will most likely receive help in planning their poster, students are encouraged to do their own work.

For additional rules, resources, and entry forms, visit NACD website (https://www.nacdnet.org/general-resources/stewardship-and-education-materials/contests/) or email or call Amanda Hurley at [email protected], 937-492-6520, ext. 2597.