2023 Conservation Poster Contest Theme
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The water on earth is one of our most precious resources. There is a limited supply of fresh water, yet it must be balanced with our many needs for clean and plentiful water. Water takes various forms in the environment, and it is used over and over again by plants, animals and people as it moves through the water cycle. From the top of the mountain all the way to the coast, it is all one water. A lot of the water we use and drink every day comes from water in the ground. 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. 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. 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.
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The New Jersey Conservation Poster Contest is open to all students in grades 2-12 and students compete in grade categories. Local Soil Conservation District prizes may also be awarded!
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The annual National Conservation Poster Contest provides students in second through twelfth grade an opportunity to convey their thoughts about soil, water and related natural resource issues through art. It also highlights the educational outreach efforts of conservation districts and their state conservation associations, auxiliaries and agencies. The poster contest theme follows the annual Stewardship Theme.
The NJ Conservation Poster Contest is co-sponsored by:
Each year, the poster contest starts at the district level. It is important to check with your local district to verify participation and local deadlines before creating your poster. Individuals and teachers with questions regarding district contests should contact their local Soil Conservation District (SCD). District winners advance to the state level. For questions regarding state competitions, districts should contact their state association. Finally, state winners advance to the National Contest. National winners are recognized each year at the NACD Annual Meeting.
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2022 NJ Poster Contest Finalists2022 Poster Contest Theme
"Healthy Soil: Healthy Life" Grand Champion
Zoe Quan (Grades 4-6) Freehold SCD |
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Cash Prizes!
Cash prizes for the NJ Statewide competition are awarded by the NJ Association of Conservation Districts |
1st Place: $100
2nd Place: $50 3rd Place: $25 |
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Did You Know...
- All land across the entire earth is made up of watersheds.
- In the continental US, there are 2,100 watersheds. If Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico are included, the count would rise to 2,267 watersheds.
- Only 1% of the water on our planet is fresh useable water.
- Water can soak into the soil until it reaches underground rivers or aquifers.
- Plants prevent erosion which lead to soil being moved through the watershed into our lakes and rivers.
- Watersheds can vary greatly in climate, animal life, plant life, human population, amounts of water and size.
- The average person uses 70 gallons of water every day!
- Groundwater is water that moves through spaces in soil and rock underground.
- Pet waste left on the ground can wash into storm drains and ditches. From there it flows into lakes and streams where it can contaminate the water with harmful bacteria.
Who Can Participate?The Conservation Poster Contest is open to all students in grades 2-12 in public, private, home school and youth groups.
Why Participate?Designing a poster and researching the theme can give you a voice in your community about important conservation issues. Good posters capture people’s attention and deliver stories in a way that everyone can understand. A powerful graphic can inspire people to be concerned about conservation.
Poster EvaluationsPosters will be judged on the following criteria:
Contest Theme must appear in the poster!
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Poster Contest BrochureDownload the NJ Conservation Poster Contest Brochure below for official rules and more information.
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Create an Effective Poster
The National Association of Conservation Districts (www.nacdnet.org) provides links to assist with creating posters. Click on the “Stewardship & Education” tab and find “Poster Contest” under “Contests” for an overview of the theme, and for tips on what makes a good poster and the National Visual Arts Standards.
Resources
You can find resources at your school or public library, science books, local newspapers, nature centers and from the Stewardship & Education section on the NACD website. Get guidance from your teacher or parents to find information on the Internet.
2023 Web Resources
- https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/water-science-school/science/watersheds-and-drainage-basins
- https://www.watereducation.org/water-kids
- https://www.discoverwater.org/
- https://wateruseitwisely.com/kids-teachers/
- https://wateruseitwisely.com/kids-teachers/teacher-resources/
- https://nj.gov/dep/cleanwaternj/
- https://www3.epa.gov/safewater/kids/
- https://njwrri.rutgers.edu/watershed_orgs.htm
- https://www.epa.gov/environmental-topics/water-topics#our-waters
- https://thewaterproject.org/resources/
- https://www.nacdnet.org/conservation-education-hub/curriculum-3/
Contest Sponsors
The NJ Department of Agriculture, the NJ Association of Conservation Districts and your local Soil Conservation District
Recent Conservation Poster Contests
2023: "One Water"
2022: "Healthy Soils: Healthy Life"
2021: "Healthy Forests = Healthy Communities"
2020: "Where Would We BEE Without Pollinators?"
2019: "Life in the Soil: Dig Deeper"
2018: "Watersheds: Our Water, Our Home"
2017: "Healthy Soils Are Full of Life"
2016: "We All Need Trees"
2015: "Local Heroes: Your Hardworking Pollinators"
2014: "Dig Deeper: Mysteries in the Soil"
2013: "Where Does Your Water Shed?"
2022: "Healthy Soils: Healthy Life"
2021: "Healthy Forests = Healthy Communities"
2020: "Where Would We BEE Without Pollinators?"
2019: "Life in the Soil: Dig Deeper"
2018: "Watersheds: Our Water, Our Home"
2017: "Healthy Soils Are Full of Life"
2016: "We All Need Trees"
2015: "Local Heroes: Your Hardworking Pollinators"
2014: "Dig Deeper: Mysteries in the Soil"
2013: "Where Does Your Water Shed?"
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NJ Soil Conservation Districts (SCD) are special purpose subdivisions of the State. In cooperation with the State Soil Conservation Committee, they are empowered to conserve and manage soil and water resources and address stormwater, soil erosion and sedimentation problems that result from land disturbance activities. There are 14 Soil Conservation Districts in New Jersey. Click here for a list of NJ Soil Conservation Districts...
In response to growing public concern for water quality, NJ Conservation Districts have become the primary local governmental agencies responsible for monitoring nonpoint sources of pollution associated with agriculture, construction and mining. The technical services of the USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service and other resource agencies are made available through the Districts. |
District ResourcesLocal Poster Entries to State Contest
Please include this form with the posters you are submitting by mail or email for the state competition. Click here to download... |