LCNRD to participate in national poster contest

HARTINGTON — The Lewis and Clark Natural Resource District (LCNRD) invites K-12 students to participate in a national poster contest sponsored by the National Association of Conservation Districts and the NACD Auxiliary. NACD, founded in 1946, is a nonprofit organization that represents

nearly 3,000 conservation districts in 50 states and U.S. territories. This year’s theme for the contest is “May the forest be with you always.”

Forests are vital ecosystems that support diverse plant and animal life. They provide clean air and water, give us food, fuel, and other forest products, as well as help combat climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide. They oer recreational oppor tunities, serve as habitats for wildlife, and contribute to the overall well-being of the planet. By saying“May the forest be with you always,” it’s a way of expressing a desire for people to be more mindful of the forests and to maintain a strong connection with nature. It encourages us to protect and preserve these important natural resources so that they can continue to thrive and benefit us in the long run.

This poster contest is open to students, grades K through 12, with judging categories between grades K-1, 2-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12. Posters will be judged at the local, state, and national levels, with the top posters in each judging category moving on to the next level. The top three posters in each of the judging categories at the national contest level will receive $200 for first place, $150 for second, and $100 for third. Judging is based on four criteria, Conservation Message (50 percent),

Visual Eectiveness (30 percent), Original ity (10 percent), and Universal Appeal (10 percent). Posters can be created using any flat or two-dimensional eect such as paint,

crayon, colored pencils, colored paper, or any other materials. There is a category for grades 7- 12, which is the Digital Poster Contest. This is an individual student poster contest, no team posters. The theme “May the forest be with you always.” should be visible on the poster.

Please package posters so they remain flat when sent in for judging. Posters should be between 8.5” x 11” and 11” x 17”. Include the contest entry form on the back of each student’s poster. The deadline for receipt of posters at the local level is October 4, 2024. Please send or deliver all posters to the Lewis and Clark NRD, 608 N Robinson, PO Box 518 Hartington, NE 68739.

If you have any questions, contact LCNRD at 402-2546758 or lcnrd@hartel.org.