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Nov. 24, 2008 For immediate release Solid Waste District Announces Earth Day Poster, Trash Art Contest for 2009 The Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District recently announced the theme for its 2009 poster and trash art contest. This year’s theme is “Let’s Go Green! Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.” This is the seventeenth year that Ozark Rivers has sponsored the contest. Students attending public and private schools in Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps, Pulaski or Washington counties are eligible to participate. Home-schooled students in the seven-county area are also encouraged to participate. “The poster contest has always been well received, and again this year, we wanted to announce the theme and deadline early so teachers could better work the contest into their classroom curriculum. ” said Tammy Snodgrass, environmental programs manager for Meramec Regional Planning Commission. MRPC serves as administrator for the Ozark Rivers District. Teri Smith, MRPC community development specialist, is coordinating the contests on behalf of the district. Contest information will be distributed to all schools in the seven-county district. Deadline for entries is April 3, 2009. The poster contest is open to all K-12 students and should focus on the beneficial long-term results of recycling, ways to protect and enhance the environment and how our actions today impact our planet and future. Trash art projects do not have to adhere to the theme but should convey an Earth Day-type message. Posters and trash art entries will be judge separately, and students can participate in both the poster and trash art contest, if they choose. First place prizes are $50 U.S. savings bonds; second place prizes will be earth friendly gifts valued at $15 or more. Every student that participates will receive a small prize. These poster and trash art contests are a part of the district's effort to increase awareness of the solid waste problem and to generate interest in reducing the amount of waste deposited in area landfills. Education and awareness are key components of the district's solid waste management plan. "We encourage teachers to use this project as an opportunity to discuss solid waste problems, like illegal dumping, and the benefits of recycling as well as the meaning of Earth Day," Snodgrass said. Teachers can contact Snodgrass or Teri Smith for curriculum and research ideas to use in the classroom. The Ozark Rivers District has books and videos and other learning aids available for check out to teachers and home-schoolers. Contest winners will be notified the week of April 18, and the winning posters and artwork will be part of an exhibit on the Missouri S&T campus during MS&T's Earth Day celebration on April 22. Once again, area banks are being asked to cosponsor this year's contest by providing savings bonds. Donations are still being accepted. Persons needing more information should contact Snodgrass or Smith at (573) 265-2993 or by email at tsnodgrass@meramecregion.org or press@meramecregion.org. |