Conservation Contests

2027 Poster Contest Theme is Released!

The National Assocation of Conservation Districts is excited to unveil the official 2027 Stewardship Week theme, From Source to Sea: Every Drop Has a Journey. 

Water is one of our most valuable natural resources, and every drop has a story to tell. Whether it begins as rain from the clouds, snow in the mountains, bubbles up from a spring, or flows through a neighborhood stream, water is constantly moving across our landscapes. Along its journey, it supports forests, farms, grasslands, wildlife, communities, and ultimately the oceans that connect us all. 

The 2027 theme reminds us that water does not exist in isolation. What happens upstream affects everything downstream. The choices we make to protect soil, reduce erosion, plant trees, restore habitats, and use water wisely all influence the quality of the water that continues its journey. 

Conservation districts see this connection every day. Working alongside farmers, ranchers, landowners, schools, and communities, districts help protect local watersheds through voluntary, locally led conservation. Their efforts improve water quality, reduce runoff, restore streambanks and wetlands, and keep our natural resources healthy. 

For students, this theme offers an opportunity to discover the incredible path water takes through the water cycle and across the landscape. From mountain streams and rivers to wetlands, lakes, estuaries, and the sea, every lesson explores another step along the way while demonstrating the important role each of us plays in protecting our water resources. 

The 2027 Stewardship Week educational materials will explore watersheds, the water cycle, and the connections between healthy soils, forests, agriculture, wildlife habitat, urban conservation, and the many ways conservation districts help safeguard our nation's water resources. Stay tuned through the fall as our educational materials are released as downloads and printables.

No matter where you call home, water connects us all. From the smallest headwater stream to the open sea, every action we take helps shape its journey, because From Source to Sea, Every Drop Has a Journey. 

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The Sauk County Land Resources and Environment Department sponsors the program locally, encouraging students to submit unique artwork encompassing the theme.

The first-place poster from each grade division moves on to regional, state, and national competitions. Students receive prizes and awards at each level where their posters compete and win. Sauk County awards a special prize for the classroom with the most student participation at the local level. Winners received Amazon gift cards, stickers, colored pencils, and custard coupons this year. The first-place winners were also awarded a Sauk County Parks pass and DIY pollinator house.

***Please monitor this website or sign up for email updates for the 2027 contest dates to be posted.

2027 Poster Contest Guidelines:

Details

• Open to grades K-12; public, private or home school students
• Each poster must go through the following contest process: Local/County, Area, State, Nationals.

Contest Rules

• Recommended poster size: 11″ x 17″ 60 lb. paper.
• The 2027 National Contest Theme, “From Source to Sea: Every Drop Has a Journey” must be written on each poster.
• All posters shall be created by an individual student, rather than a team of students.
• Any media may be used: paint, crayon, colored pencil, charcoal, stickers, paper or other
  materials on regular posters. (Computer-generated posters will not be accepted)
• To be eligible for judging, each entry must have a completed and signed entry form attached to back (form located at the end of this page).

Poster Evaluations:

• Conservation Message (50%): The poster effectively conveys the theme and a clear conservation message.
• Visual Effectiveness: 30%: The design is eye-catching, well-organized, and visually appealing.
• Originality: 10%: The poster demonstrates creativity and fresh ideas.
• Universal Appeal: 10%: The design should appeal to a broad audience and be easily understood.

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2027 Sauk County Speaking Contest

Please monitor this page for updated contest dates. 

Speech Subject Matter:

• Speeches must promote the conservation of natural resources and the protection or enhancement of environmental quality. Topics should address soil and water conservation issues. Emphasis should be placed on the subject as it relates to your locality or to the state of Wisconsin.
• Authenticity and accuracy of information is important, and the speaker should demonstrate familiarity with the subject matter. Feel free to contact Natural Resource professionals as they can provide knowledge on numerous topics. The internet is a rich resource; however, not all internet sources are reliable. When using the internet, be sure to consider your source!
• All speeches should be backed up by facts. Both sides of an issue should be presented in a fair and non-accusatory manner. Using names of people or businesses for slander will not be accepted and shall result in disqualification.

Visual Aids

• Use of visual aids (posters, charts, etc.) is prohibited; however, notes may be used.

Speeches

• A speech, in part or whole, used in this contest in previous years may not be used again. However, speeches used for other speaking events may be used. Group presentations are not allowed.

County Contest

• An individual student may only enter in one County level speech contest, either in the County in which they reside or in the county in which they attend school. If the County an individual lives in does not host a speaking contest, the individual may seek permission from another County to enter their contest. The winners of each division in each County may compete in the Area Association contests. Students must compete in a County and/or Area contest to quality for the state contest. All contest entry forms must be signed by a parent or guardian.

Area Contest

• Local County winner will advance to their area contest. The results of the Area contest (including the parental/guardian signature, legible names, addresses and counties of residence of the winners) shall be sent by the Area contest coordinator to all County contest coordinators immediately following the contest for State contest set-up and publicity purposes.

If you would like to participate or have any questions about these programs, contact us at 608-355-3245