AUGUSTA, Maine — The Maine Forest Service and the Pine Tree State Arboretum are inviting fifth-grade pupils across Maine to demonstrate their artistic creativity and learn about trees for the Arbor Day Foundation’s Annual Poster Contest.
This year’s theme of “Trees are Terrific…and Energy wise” encourages youngsters to learn about how trees conserve and create energy.
The deadline for state contest submissions is March 5.
Trees planted in the proper place can reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 25 percent by acting as a windbreak and offering shade. Trees also produce energy when they photosynthesize and make sugars. People use this energy in a variety of ways, whether by enjoying apples and maple syrup, or by heating their homes with wood. Pupils are invited to illustrate these concepts imaginatively on a poster that will be part of a statewide competition.
The Maine state winners will become finalists in the national contest; last year, more than 63,000 fifth-grade classrooms across the country participated in the poster contest. The Maine winner also will receive a $100 US savings bond and a tree planted will be planted in his or her honor at their school.
Poster contest details and educational materials, including background information and lesson plans, are available on the internet. For more information, visit the National Arbor Day Foundation web site: http://www.arborday.org/kids/postercontest.
Fifth-grade educators and home-schoolers in Maine can sign up by contacting state contest coordinator Laura Minich Zitske, Project Canopy, by e-mail at:projectcanopy@roadrunner.com.
