Here is what YOU and YOUR students can do to help the Environment:

We're inviting 1 st through 5 th grade students to demonstrate through
original drawings of Smokey Bear or Woodsy Owl their understanding
of fire prevention and basic environmental conservation principles.

Smokey Bear is recognized nationally and internationally as the symbol for fire prevention. You've seen him dressed in a ranger's hat and blue jeans and carrying a shovel. The original Smokey Bear appeared in 1944. Smokey's message, “Remember, Only You can prevent wildfires,” is one that children have heard for many years. It encouraging personal responsibility for fire prevention. Smokey Bear teaches children and adults to be careful with campfires, barbecues, trash fires, and matches.

Woodsy Owl is America's icon for the conservation of the environment. Since 1971, Woodsy has been helping parents and teachers inspire children to observe, explore, and care for the environment. He challenges children to “Lend a Hand — Care for the Land!” Woodsy Owl encourages children to join him by taking an active role in caring for the land through recycling, reusing, and reducing waste; planting and caring for trees; using resources wisely (such as not wasting water or electricity); not littering; and generally caring for the planet we live on.

The Grand Prize National Poster Contest Winner will win a free round trip airfare and
accommodations for four to Washington, DC. A $100 U.S. Savings Bond will also be
awarded to the First Place National Winners from each grsde level.

It's time to start thinking about the
Smokey Bear / Woodsy Owl Poster Contest.
Show your support sponsoring
a poster contest for your local youngsters.

Once again it is time to distribute the information to you regarding the upcoming “Smokey Bear” Poster contest. This year there are a few changes & additions, so please read this carefully, so that you and all your entrants will be completely informed. I realize that some of our District Directors are new this year, so please read this carefully and if you have any questions, please contact me.

Last year I asked the Districts & clubs to have the Posters turned into them, then judge them and send me only the “Winners”. I only have 20 slots for winners. Last year I asked the clubs & districts to recognize all the entries in some way. There are catalogs available with Smokey Bear items, you have computers that you can make a half sheet certificate on, or use your imagination. All the entries need to be recognized. Some clubs go to the schools, when the schools have special assemblies to present these certificates & prizes. These children do work hard on their posters & need to be recognized for their efforts.

Once again our Winter Board Meeting is too late to get the posters to me. I need the posters by
January 5, 2008, Board Meeting is January 17-19, 2008 . So all posters need to be in the mail so
that l will receive them by January 5, 2008.Let us continue to educate our Youth about the preservation of our beautiful forests, that so many of us really enjoy by camping, hiking, or just sitting on a bench, listing to the sounds of the forest

Email Linda Riddle at: smokey_bear@cagardenclubs.org

1. All poster entrees must be sponsored by a local Garden Club.
   
2. Posters must feature Smokey Bear or Woodsy Owl and must not feature both together.
   
3. Smokey Bear posters must be based upon and include, Smokey's fire prevention message
   (Only YOU Can Prevent Wildfires!). Woodsy Owl posters must be based
   upon and include, Woodsy's conservation message (Lend a Hand — Care for the Land!).
   
4. The entry posters should encourage children to take a personal role in preventing wildfires
   or conserving natural resources.
   
5. Each entry should be 11 x 17 inches in size.
   
6. Materials that can be used include: crayons, markers, poster paints, water colors, etc.
7. No three-dimensional posters, computer scanned, or electronically generated images will be accepted!
   
8. The artist's name, address, home phone number, grade level, school, teacher's name, city, and State
   must be printed on the back of the poster in the lower right corner. Each poster must also show the name
   of the sponsoring local Garden Club. (Do not use a dark marker for this information as it may show through.)
   Click here to download a full-sheet of 4 labels in pdf format.
   
9. The Local Garden Club Chair must submit the poster entries no later than January 15, 2008,
   to his or her State's Chair at the following address:

Linda Riddle
31024 Rabbit Springs Road
Lucerne Valley, 92356-8136
E-Mail: Ridfam@sisp.net Phone: 760-248-6397
Email: smokey_bear@cagardenclubs.org

Poster Tips

1. A good poster is bold and simple in design.
2. Its message is delivered in both the picture and the slogan.
3. Its message is easily understood.
4. Posters are to be completed by individual student artists. Competition may include
students from 1st to 5th grade.
5. Posters will be judged 20 percent each for originality, design, slogan, artwork, and
overall effectiveness of the message.

Property Rights
All entries will become property of the USDA Forest Service. Posters will not be returned to contestants. The USDA Forest Service or the National Garden Clubs, Inc., may use the poster artwork for national educational materials and outreach.