Poster Contest

2023 Theme: one water

2023 Delaware Conservation Poster Contest Flyer

The annual conservation poster contest is open to all public, private, and homeschooled students in kindergarten through 12th grade.

The National Association of Conservation Districts' (NACD) National Conservation Poster Contest provides students with an opportunity to share their thoughts about soil, water and related natural resource issues. It also highlights the educational outreach efforts of conservation districts and their state conservation associations, auxiliaries and/or agencies.

The poster contest is sponsored by:

County Level:

- - New Castle Conservation District
  - Kent Conservation District
  - Sussex Conservation District

State Level:

- - Delaware Association of Conservation Districts (DACD).

The conservation district in each county will submit first-place posters in each grade category for judging at the state level. State winners will receive a cash award from DACD.

First-place state winners will be entered into the national poster contest sponsored by NACD.

In the event that an insufficient number of posters are received at the county level, the county-level judging will be eliminated, and all posters will be judged at the state level

Grade Categories:

- Kindergarten - 1st
- 2nd - 3rd
- 4th - 6th
- 7th - 9th*
- 10th - 12th*

*Digital posters accepted for 7th - 9th and 10th - 12th grades.

Prizes:

Awarded to winners in each grade category

1st Place: $50
2nd Place: $25
3rd Place: $15

Deadline:

Friday, Oct. 27, 2023

Rules:

- Any media may be used to create a flat or two-dimensional effect (paint, crayon, colored pencil, charcoal, stickers, paper or other flat-laying materials) on regular posters.
- Digital posters will be accepted in grade categories, 7-9 and 10-12. Digital poster rules are available below.
- The 2023 theme "One Water" must be on the front of the poster. Do not use any other title.
- Poster size must be between 8.5" x 11" to 22" x 28" (regular poster). Posters must be mailed or delivered flat. No rolled posters will be accepted.
- All posters must be created by an individual student rather than a team of students.
- Although younger students will most likely receive help in planning from parents or teachers, we encourage each student to do as much of the work as possible by him/herself. Entries completed by students in their own handwriting and coloring will score better than those designed, drawn and colored with adult assistance.
- Posters must be received by the deadline. No exceptions. Judging will take place during the month of November with winners notified in early December.
- Posters will be judged at the county level, first place posters will be sent for judging at the state level.
- If an insufficient amount of posters are received then the county-level contest will be eliminated and all posters will be judged at the state level.
- First-place state winners are eligible for the national contest.

NACD Hand Drawn Poster Contest Rules

NACD Digital Poster Contest Rules

JUDGING CRITERIA

Posters are evaluated on:

- 50% - conservation message, poster uses correct theme
- 30% - visual effectiveness
- 10% - originality
- 10% - universal appeal

Also taken into consideration is that the artwork is that of the participant. (unless noted on back)

WHAT MAKES A GOOD POSTER?

- A brief, catchy message; one theme that can be read in 10 seconds. Keep words to a minimum.
- A slogan telling the viewers to do something and making them want to act.
- Colors and white space to get and hold attention.
- Letters large enough to be easily read and words separated enough to make them quickly grasped.
- Principles of good design.
- White space that adds emphasis and attracts attention.

Submission Instructions:

Posters can be submitted electronically, by mail, or in person to the conservation district in your county. Limit one entry per student.

- Electronic Submissions: Email should include the child's name, grade level, school and email address of the teacher. High-quality photos of the original work (.jpg or .png) are accepted. Include full poster photo and any relevant details. Limit 5 photos per email.
- By Mail: Poster must include, in print on the back, the child's name, grade level, name of teacher and school, and email address for the teacher.
- In person: Submit poster to the conservation district in your county. Poster must include, in print on the back, the child's name, grade level, name of teacher and school, and email address for the teacher.