Conservation Poster Contest

The Walworth County Land Conservation Department along with the County Land Conservation Committee, sponsors a Conservation Poster Contest. This contest provides an opportunity for area youth to become more aware of conservation of our natural resources through artistic design. The contest is open to students in grades K-12. Contestants are grouped and judged based on their grade. (K-1, 2-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12)

This contest is one step in a journey to the national conservation poster competition. The County will award first and second place awards to students in each age category. The first place winners from our participating age groups moved forward to the Southeast Wisconsin Conservation Association “Area” competition which was held on February 15^th, 2021. The Southeast Area Contest counties include, Walworth, Washington, Ozaukee, Racine, Waukesha, and Milwaukee.

The first place winners from the Area competition move forward to the statewide competition which is held in conjunction with the Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association’s Annual Conference. Winners from the statewide competition advance to the national competition where entrants have a chance to win cash prizes.

The 2021 contest theme is "Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities". Information for the 2021 contest theme can be found at the National Association of Conservation District's website.

Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities

This year’s contest focuses on the many benefits of healthy forests, and connection to community health. Trees are vital. As the biggest plants on the planet, they absorb carbon from the atmosphere, stabilize the soil, filter water, provide healthy habitat for wildlife and offer many additional benefits – for nature, people and biodiversity. Not only is it necessary to protect existing trees and plant new ones, but it’s also important to advocate and educate about trees and forest conservation within your community.

Resources from National Association of Conservation Districts:

Free Educational Materials - 2021 - Healthy Forests = Healthy Communities

Additional Resources - Tree Conservation Activities for Kids, Forestry Conservation Organizations and Programs (PDF)

2021 Results

This year’s Conservation Poster Contest resulted in a total of 50 participants from three schools - Lake Geneva Middle School, Travel School and Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and School. This year students in 4th-6th and 7th-9th grade groups participated. The winners of the Walworth County contest are as follows:

Grades 4-6

1^st Place: Kirsten Sertzel, Lake Geneva Middle School*

2^nd Place: Dayanara Torres, Lake Geneva Middle School

Honorable Mention: Carter Jacobs, Lake Geneva Middle School

Honorable Mention: Sophia Barrett, Traver School

Grades 7-9

1^st Place: Madison Wojciuch, Traver School*

2^nd Place: Hailey Wojciuch, Traver School

Honorable Mention: Carley Ceshker, Traver School

Honorable Mention: Madeline Daehn, Traver School

*The first place winners from our contest were forwarded on to the Southeast Area Contest. There, Kirsten Sertzel and Madison Wojciuch each earned second place awards.