**Submission Deadline Extended to November 6, 2015 due to flooding**

Rules and Entry Form

Columbia, SC--Arbor Day is a holiday set aside to plant, care for, and celebrate trees.  The first Arbor Day was celebrated in Nebraska in 1872, and today, Arbor Day is observed in all 50 states and in many other countries around the world.  While several states observe Arbor Day in spring, South Carolina celebrates Arbor Day in December because winter is the best time for planting trees in our climate.  This year, Arbor Day falls on Friday, December 4, 2015.

To raise awareness about Arbor Day and the importance of planting and caring for trees, the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District invites Richland County preK-12 students to submit entries promoting the celebration of Arbor Day in four categories:  Notecard, Recycled Art Sculpture, Writing, and Performance/Video.  Details and guidelines for each category are below and on the entry form. 

Contest winners will receive $25 cash prizes.  Entries may be individual, group, or class projects, but only one cash prize will be awarded per winning entry.  The contest is open to preK-12 students who live in, or attend school in, Richland County.  Each entry must be accompanied by a completed entry form.  The submission deadline is October 23, 2015 November 6, 2015 (deadline extended due to flooding).

Contest Categories

• Notecard: Design a "Celebrate Arbor Day" notecard.  Notecard artwork may be created using any 2D media and should promote the planting, care, and/or celebration of trees, forests, and the many products and services they provide.  Notecard size should be no smaller than a quarter-fold (4.25" x 5.5") and no larger than a half-fold (5.5" x 8.5").  Inside the card, students should write a "Celebrate Arbor Day" message.  *Notecards will be mailed to public officials and community members following contest judging and will not be returned, so please take a photograph or make a photocopy if you would like to keep a copy of the submission for yourself.
  
  
• Recycled Art Sculpture:  Create a "Celebrate Arbor Day" sculpture from natural and reused/recycled materials.  The sculpture should be a free-standing table centerpiece.  The sculpture's base should not be larger than 12" x 12", and the sculpture should not be taller than 18".  Sculpture entries should be delivered in person to the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District office.  *No more than three sculpture entries per class will be considered, so if several students in one class create sculptures, please hold a classroom competition and submit the top three entries.
  
• Writing:  Write a poem, letter, or essay explaining to an alien why we celebrate trees on Arbor Day.  Submissions should not exceed 1,000 words and may be handwritten or typed.  Illustrations are allowed, but submission will be judged on the written content rather than the artwork.
• Performance/Video:  Create, perform, and record a song, rap, skit, or dance that explains why we celebrate Arbor Day.  Submit the performance in a ready-to-play video format on CD or through an online video sharing service.  Performances should not exceed five minutes in length.

Rules and Entry Form

Conservation Districts are political subdivisions of state government under the local direction of five-member Boards of Commissioners. In South Carolina, Conservation District boundaries conform to County boundaries.  The Richland Soil and Water Conservation District promotes the wise use of natural resources for the benefit of the citizens of Richland County.

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