Arbor DayStatewide Contests for Wisconsin's 4th and 5th gradersThe Department of Natural Resources Forestry Division sponsors the following contests each year. The creativity of 24 Wisconsin students highlights our annual Arbor Day-Earth Day Calendar. Click on the links below to learn more.
See the 2009 top three statewide winners and honorable mentions. Announcing the 2010 Forest Appreciation Week Statewide Writing Contest for 4th Grade Students: "Why Plant Trees?"Twenty-one years ago the Department of Natural Resources Forestry Division asked fourth grade students across Wisconsin to think and write about our tree and forest resources, and to enter the annual Forest Appreciation Week Writing Contest. Today, once again we invite teachers and young scholars to participate. This year’s theme, "Why Plant Trees?" encourages 4th grade students to write about the importance of tree planting and to become an active steward of the environment. Planting trees enhances Wisconsin's natural beauty, provides wildlife habitat, prevents soil erosion, improves air quality, provides shade, supplies wood for paper and other forest products, conserves valuable energy, and can offset the impacts of climate change. Tree planting gives everyone the opportunity to be an active steward of the environment and a local resource hero. Students should write about a personal experience with tree planting, their passion or motivation to plant trees or the general importance of a properly-planted tree. To inspire your participation in this year's contest view the video "Why Plant Trees?"
For Windows users: video requires Windows Media Player version 11 or up, and Internet Explorer 7 or up.
(If video does not appear at first: You may need to allow the player to play through the video once initially from start to finish, in order to load the video. Then, please click the play button again and you will be able to view the video.) Please let us know what you think about the video by taking a 5 minute survey. Official writing contest packets will be mailed to fourth grade teachers in late January 2010. Enter early and win! The first 100 teachers who enter this year’s writing contest will receive a copy of “If Trees Could Talk: Stories about Wisconsin Trees” written by R. Bruce Allison. This book contains fascinating stories that introduce readers aged 7-12 to noteworthy trees, both past and present, across Wisconsin. Told in a compelling narrative style and supplemented with historical photographs and illustrations, these stories instill a sense of place and understanding of the rich heritage of our trees and forests. 2010 Contest InformationRequirements:
Judging:
Prizes and Recognition:
Contest sponsors include: Resources For more information contact: Forestry Appreciation Week Writing Contest. DNR-Forestry Division, PO Box 7921, Madison WI 53707-7921 or email Genny.Fannucchi@wisconsin.gov
Classroom Contest Entry form [PDF, 286KB] Student Certificate of Participation [PDF, 573KB] 2010 Writing Contest Flyer [PDF, 282KB] for educators and supporters Why Plant Trees? -- Inspirational lyrics and music from songster Ken Lonnquist.
Last Revised: Friday January 22 2010
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