Arbor Day

The Department of Natural Resources Forestry Division sponsors the following contests each year. Click on the links below to learn more.

• 2009 Forest Appreciation Week Writing Contest: My Favorite Tree
• Arbor Day Poster Contest

Writing Contest

See the top three statewide winners from 2008 and honorable mentions.

20th Annual Forest Appreciation Week Writing Contest - My Favorite Tree

Each year the Department of Natural Resources Forestry Division encourages fourth grade students across Wisconsin to think and write about our tree and forest resources through the Forest Appreciation Week Writing Contest. This year’s theme, My Favorite Tree, encourages students to write about a tree that they think is special. Regardless of shape, size, or color, trees have the ability to trigger our imaginations and create fond memories. Students are encouraged to write about a tree species that they find to be unique or a forest tree with which they have had an extraordinary experience.

Fourth-grade teachers: Look for the "2009 Forest Appreciation Week Writing Packet" in your mailbox in late January!

Writing Contest Flyer [PDF, 658KB]

Contest Requirements:

• Fourth-grade students only
• Submit only one (1) entry per classroom
• Any written form, including essay, poetry or other type of creative writing is acceptable. The entry must be 200 words or less and follow the theme: My Favorite Tree.
• Writing must be the original work of a student currently in fourth grade.
• A participant report form must be attached to your classroom entry. Your classroom entry must be sent to the designated judging team coordinator listed in the writing contest packet. Note: Contest packets will be mailed to fourth grade teachers in late January.
• A semi-finalist will be chosen from each CESA District and their essays will appear in the 2010 Arbor Day-Earth Day Calendar and on the WDNR kids’ website Environmental Education for Kids website EEK!
• A panel of judges from the Department of Natural Resources will review the 12 semi-finalists and select the top three state winners. The three state winners and their teachers will be recognized for their achievement at a special celebration in our State Capitol. The students will be presented with savings bonds of $100, $75 and $50 respectively. The Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association [exit DNR] donates the awards. The students will also receive a landscape tree to be planted at their school or in their community, donated by the Wisconsin Nursery Association [exit DNR] and their teachers will receive scholarships for both a Learning, Experience & Activities in Forestry (LEAF [exit DNR]) teacher’s workshop and a Project Learning Tree (PLT) workshop plus additional classroom supplies. Parents, students and teachers will be honored.

Entries must be postmarked by March 6, 2009.  The first 100 teachers who enter will receive a copy of Jean Giorno’s book, “The Man Who Planted Trees.”

For more information contact: Forestry Appreciation Week Writing Contest. Wisconsin DNR, Forestry Division, PO Box 7921, Madison WI 53707-7921 or email Genny.Fannucchi@Wisconsin.gov