Conservation Contests

2026 Poster Contest Theme: Soil. Where it all Begins

2026 Sauk County Poster and Speaking Contest

NACD Conservation Awareness Poster Contest

The 2026 National Association of Conservation Districts NACD Conservation Poster Contest theme has been posted! "Soil. Where it all Begins." 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.

2025 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

Poster size must be 12” x 18” or 14" x 22”.
The 2026 National Contest Theme, “Soil. Where it all Begins.” 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%
Visual Effectiveness: 30%
Originality: 10%
Universal Appeal: 10%

Posters are due to the Sauk County Land Resources & Environment Department by 4:30pm Thursday, January 8th, 2026.

For the 2025 state competition results and more poster contest information, visit the WI Land & Water website: https://wisconsinlandwater.org/our-work/youth-education.

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2026 Sauk County Speaking Contest

Speech entries due by Jan 9, 2026 to Jacqui Peyer at the Sauk County Land Resources & Environment Department.

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.

Contest Scheduling

Sauk County Contest: January 16th, 505 Broadway, Baraboo (Materials due by January 9th)
Southern Area Contest: January 27 Baraboo
State Contest: March 4 Wisconsin Dells

State Contest

State contest entry forms for each area contest winner must be received at the WI Land+Water office no later than Friday, February 6, 2026. The state contest will be held in the morning of Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at Chula Vista Resort, Wisconsin Dells, WI.*
Registration will be from 9:00am-9:30am. First place winners in each division are invited to present their winning speeches at the 2025 WI Land+Water Annual Conference Luncheon that same day at 11:00am.
State contest RSVP must be completed by Monday, February 9, 2026 and emailed to kim@wisconsinlandwater.org.
*If you are planning to come in the night before and wish to book a hotel room. Please contact the Chula Vista Resort directly and mention WI Land+Water Annual Conference to receive the state rate at the Chula Vista Resort.
All state contest entry forms must be completely filled out and signed by a parent or guardian and emailed to kim@wisconsinlandwater.org no later than Monday, February 9, 2026 in order for the student to be eligible to compete.