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Dec. 7, 2011
For immediate release
For more information, contact:
Bonnie J. Prigge or Tammy Snodgrass, (573) 265-2993
Solid waste district announces Earth Day poster,
trash art contest for 2012
The Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District recently announced the theme for its 2012 poster and trash art contest. This year’s theme is “Saving Tomorrow’s World Today: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.” This is the twentieth 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.
Contest information will be distributed to all schools in the seven-county district. The 2012 Earth Day contest flyer can be viewed and/or downloaded by visiting www.meramecregion.org. Deadline for entries is March 30, 2012. 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.
The district is introducing a new category this year for electronic art, or art created on a computer. This category is open to students in high school, trade school, or college students. Participants must be students. One first and second place winner will be chosen from all grades entering this category.
Posters and trash art entries will be judged 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 token.
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," said Tammy Snodgrass, assistant director/environmental programs manager for Meramec Regional Planning Commission. 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 9 and the winning posters and artwork will be part of an exhibit at the Missouri University of Science and Technology during its Earth Day celebration April 20
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Persons needing more information should contact Snodgrass or Smith at (573) 265-2993 or by email at tsnodgrass@meramecregion.org or press@meramecregion.org. More information is also available online at www.meramecregion.org.
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