2020 Conservation Poster Contest Promotes Pollinator Conservation

Monday, July 15, 2019

**Due to disruptions associated with Covid-19, the contest deadline has been extended through May 8, 2020; the poster size requirement has been adjusted; and submissions will be accepted online.**

The 2020 Youth Conservation Poster Contest, open to all Richland County K-12 students, invites students to combine artistic skills with scientific knowledge to illustrate the theme "Where would we BEE without pollinators?" Entries are due by ~~April 10, 2020~~ May 8, 2020.

Where would we BEE without pollinators logo

NEW: Online Entry Form

Background

Pollinators such as bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, birds, and bats play a key role in the life cycle of many flowering plants. By carrying pollen from flower to flower, pollinators enable plants to produce seeds. These seeds, in turn, allow for new generations of plants to grow.

Three-fourths of the world's flowering plants depend on pollinators to reproduce, and humans and animals alike depend on these plants for survival. Most fruit, vegetable, and seed crops--and other plants that provide fiber, medicines, and fuel--are pollinated by animals. In fact, nearly one out of every three bites of food we eat exists because of animal pollinators!

Pollinators also play important roles in land-based food webs. For example, some 96% of terrestrial birds (including species that eat seeds and fruits as adults) raise their young on insects, including insect pollinators.

Pollinators have a significant economic impact. In 2010, crops pollinated by honeybees and other insects contributed $29 billion to farm income in the United States.

In addition to providing pollination services, honeybees (which are not native to North America but are common and important pollinators) produce a variety of substances which are used by humans, including honey, wax, and propolis. In 2017, the United States honey industry was responsible for more than 22,000 jobs and its total economic output was $4.74 billion$4.74 billion.

Pollinators face many challenges in the modern world, including habitat loss, disease, parasites, and pollution. But, there are many things we can do to help pollinators! Adding native, pollinator-friendly plants to the landscape to provide pollen and nectar, reducing the use of pesticides, and leaving areas for native grasses and shrubs to grow are all conservation practices that will help support pollinator survival.

A world without pollinators would certainly be less colorful, less fruitful, and less productive...which is why we hope you will illustrate the importance of keeping the environment healthy so our pollinators can continue to do their jobs!

Rules

~~Posters must be 14"x22"~~
Allowable poster sizes are between 8.5"x11" and 14"x22".
The contest theme ("Where would we BEE without pollinators?") must be on the front of the poster.
Student and school names should not appear on the front of the poster.
Any media may be used to create a 2D (flat) effect, including paint, marker, ink, crayon, charcoal, colored pencil, stickers, collage, wallpaper, magazines, photos, digitally-designed graphics such as Google Drawings, and flat objects found in nature.
Posters must be the work of an individual student (no team entries).
Entries should be the contestants' original creations and may not be traced from photos or other artists' works.
Once posters are complete, make a .pdf, .jpg, or .png of your entry using a scanner or camera (or, in the case of digital illustrations, convert the image to a .pdf, .jpg, or .png file type), then have a parent or guardian submit the entry online using this form.
~~Attach a signed entry form to the back of the poster. Posters should remain flat when sent for judging~~

Recommendations

Successful posters present a simple, concise visual message, similar to a billboard or bumper sticker.
As much as possible, limit text to the contest topic ("Where would we BEE without pollinators?"). Additional text can be difficult to read and complicates the message.
The contest topic should be in bold, clear, unique text. Make sure the words stand out and are easy to read!
All text should be large enough to be read easily.
Avoid fluorescent-colored posters.

Evaluation

Posters will be evaluated by grade level according to the following criteria:

Conservation Message: poster illustrates examples of pollinators, why pollinators are important, and/or how we can protect and promote pollinators through conservation practices. (50%)
Visual Effectiveness: poster attracts attention, uses colors and white space effectively, is easy to read, is neat, and makes good use of color and shading. (30%)
Originality (10%)
Universal Appeal: information conveyed on poster is relevant around the world. (10%)

Submission

Have a parent or guardian upload a scanned or photographed version of your entry (.pdf., .jpg, or .png formats) using this online submission form by the new deadline of May 8, 2020. Due to disruptions caused by Covid-19, we are not accepting hard copy submissions at this time. However, please retain your poster entry in a safe location until June 15, 2020, as we may request hard copies of select entries later this spring. Posters completed by Richland County students should be delivered to the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District by Friday, April 10, 2020. Posters may be dropped off in person or mailed. Posters should be packaged to remain flat when sent for judging. Make sure a signed entry form is attached to the back of the poster!

Competition Progression and Awards

Richland County winners will progress to the state competition; state winners will progress to the national competition. Cash prizes will be awarded at each level.

County Competition: $25 prizes will be awarded to winning posters in each of five grade level categories. Cash prizes are sponsored by the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District.
State Competition: $50 prizes will be awarded to winning posters in each of five grade level categories. Cash prizes are sponsored by the SC Association of Conservation Districts.
National Competition: First place prizes in each grade level category will receive $200; second place posters will receive $150; third place posters will receive $100. Cash prizes are sponsored by the National Association of Conservation Districts Auxiliary and the Albert I. Pierce Foundation.

Richland County, South Carolina

Conservation District News