Deadline extended in annual Arbor Day Poster Contest

The Delaware Forest Service is inviting schoolchildren in grades K-5 to join its 2010 Arbor Day Poster Contest. This year’s theme is “Trees Are Terrific... and Energy Wise,” and this year’s deadline has been extended to March 22 because of February’s inclement weather.

Posters will be judged on use of theme, originality, neatness and artistic expression. All schools entering the contest are eligible to participate in the annual free seedling program. Call Ashley Ward at the Delaware Forest Service at (302) 698-4551 for details.

The Delaware Forest Service will select a winner from each county in the following three categories: Kindergarten, Grades 1-2 and Grades 3-4. From these county winners, one overall state winner will be chosen. Students can win a $50 U.S. Savings Bond, a holly tree and a tree ceremony at their school. Winning posters will also be displayed on the state forestry Web site at dda.delaware.gov./forestry.

The winning fifth-grade poster will go on to represent Delaware in the National Arbor Day Poster Contest, in which the national first-place winner gets a $1,000 savings bond plus an all-expense-paid trip to the National Award Weekend in Nebraska. Last year’s fifth-grade state winner, Sophia Kottenhahn Leslie from New Castle County, received third place in the entire United States.

The Delaware Forest Service will honor the poster contest winners, their parents and teachers at the State Arbor Day Ceremony on April 28 at the Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village in Dover.

All entries and requests for free seedlings must be sent to the State Coordinator Ashley Ward by March 22 at the Delaware Forest Service, 2320 S. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901. No contest entries or seedling requests will be accepted after March 22.