Niso Zakkary (left) and Talia Bowen (right) were selected as state winners for SCACD's 2022-2023 Youth Conservation Poster Contest.

Two Richland County students have been selected as state winners in a conservation poster contest sponsored by the South Carolina Association of Conservation Districts (SCACD). They were recognized by Councilwoman Allison Terracio and by representatives of the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District (RSWCD) and Richland County Conservation Commission (RCCC) during a reception at Stormwater Studios on March 28.

Talia Bowen is the state winner in the Grades K-1 division. Bowen was in 1^st grade at Arden Elementary School when she entered the conservation poster. Her artwork was sponsored by art teacher George Sims. She is now in 2^nd grade. This is Bowen’s second state award for her conservation artwork, as she was also selected as the winner of both the county and state conservation poster contests in 2022 under the instruction of Sims.

Niso Zakkary is the state winner in the Grades 7-9 division. Zakkary was in 8^th grade at Longleaf Middle School when she submitted her entry for the poster contest in 2023. Zakkary’s artwork was sponsored by science teacher Jennifer Totten. Now in 9^th grade at Hammond School, Zakkary continues to pursue her passion for art, staying actively involved in her art studies during the school year as well as working at the Crafty Palette Studios during the summer.

Their posters illustrate the 2023 national stewardship theme, set by the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD), of “One Water.” The students were selected as winners for the local competition in Richland County, sponsored by the RSWCD, and advanced to the state poster competition in winter, 2024.

The annual poster contest is a creative way to engage K-12 students in environmental conservation efforts, educate them about the importance of taking care of their environment, and spark their creativity through artwork. The stewardship theme “One Water” asked students to design a poster demonstrating how the water on earth is connected through the water cycle and watersheds, encouraging the idea that we should all do our part to keep the water clean for our neighbors downstream.

Both students will receive cash prizes from SCACD.

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