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 “Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities.” Trees beautify the landscape, remove pollutants from the air and create the oxygen we breathe. That’s why maintaining sustainable management of both natural and planted trees remains important to tree conservation efforts.

Encouraging children to participate in this poster contest will allow them to research the importance of soil 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 with a message to your community.

The Shelby SWCD will be giving away monetary awards to 1st and 2nd place 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.

Who can enter? 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 3, 2021. An entry form must accompany every poster submitted. Although younger students will most likely receive help in planning their poster, we encourage each student to do their own work.

For additional rules, resources, and entry forms, visit the events page at www.shelbyswcd.org or call Sophie Nieport at 937-492-6520, ext. 2589.