District and state winners of the Smokey Bear Poster Contest in grades 2-5 at the elementary school in Lincolnton pictured with Veronica Kelly (back row left), art teacher at LCES, and Norman McKinney (back row right), president of the Pine Needle Garden Club of Lincolnton, Azalea District. The winners are (front, l-r): Megan M., LeighAnn P., Sydney T., Lura S., (back) Shabrekia S., Kanika N., Camden G., and Niki P.

Attention local garden clubs, teachers, collaborators, and USDA Forest Service employees! Here is what you and your students can do to help the environment: We're inviting 1st through 5th grade students to demonstrate through original drawings of Smokey Bear or Woodsy Owl their understanding of fire prevention and basic environmental conservation principles.

Smokey Bear is recognized nationally and internationally as the symbol for fire prevention. You've seen him dressed in a ranger's hat and blue jeans and carrying a shovel. The original Smokey Bear appeared in 1944. Smokey's message, "Remember, Only You Can Prevent Wildfires," is one that children have heard for many years. It encourages personal responsibility for fire prevention. Smokey Bear teaches children and adults to be careful with campfires, barbecues, trash fires, and matches.

Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl

Woodsy Owl is America's icon for the conservation of the environment. Since 1971, Woodsy has been helping parents and teachers inspire children to observe, explore, and care for the environment. He challenges children to "Lend a Hand—Care for the Land!"

	Jadah H., sponsored by Gateways Garden Club Social Circle, was a 2004-2005 Woodsy Owl Georgia State Winner. Jadah went on to take 3rd Place in the Deep South competition!

Woodsy Owl encourages children to join him by taking an active role in caring for the land through recycling, reusing, and reducing waste; planting and caring for trees; using resources wisely (such as not wasting water or electricity); not littering; and generally caring for the planet we live on.

The Grand Prize National Poster Contest Winner will win a free round trip airfare and accommodations for four to Washington, DC. A $100 U.S. Savings Bond will also be awarded to the First Place National Winners from each grade level.

Download complete rules and application here. Posters should be submitted to your District Chair by December 1, 2009 and then to State Chairman Mary Byrd on or before January 15, 2010:

Mary Byrd
328 Byrd Road
Evans GA 30809
706-863-1131
maryb328@earthlink.net