The Washington State Department of Natural Resources Announces a Kids’ Environmental Justice Art Contest
News Date: 
March 1, 2024
   

Youth of all ages are encouraged to participate

 
The Washington State Department of Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting submissions for this year’s Youth Art Contest with the theme of environmental justice. Children grades K-12 are encouraged to submit an art project, using any medium, which depicts environmental justice in one of the following topic areas:
  • Wildfire Resilience & Recovery:
    • Ways to protect their communities from wildfire risks
    • Ways to prevent unintentional human caused wildfires
    • How the community recovers after a wildfire
    • Smoke related safety
  • Urban Canopy Cover & Tree Equity:
    • Benefits of urban trees
    • Differences in tree cover by neighborhood
  • Responsible Recreation:
    • Ancestral Lands Movement
    • Increase access to the outdoors for all people
    • Low impact recreation and stewardship 
“Kids today don’t have to imagine the impacts of climate change – they are living with them every day. Which makes their voices that much more powerful,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz. “We need to listen to kids about climate change. This art contest is a wonderful opportunity for our Washington youth to learn more about the climate crisis and environmental justice, and find the inspiration to make positive change, I can’t wait to see what they create!”
 
There are three age categories: grades K-5, grades 6-8, and grades 9-12. Two winners will be selected from each age group. The first-place winners will have their art on 2024 outreach materials in addition to recognition on DNR’s website. The second-place winner in each age range will have the opportunity to invite a DNR expert to speak to their class.
 
Artwork must be submitted by 9 p.m. on April 12, 2024 at the following links:
For artists grades K – 5, submit your artwork here: https://woobox.com/vvh92k  
For artists grades 6 – 8, submit your artwork here: https://woobox.com/nu5d53 
For artists grades 9 –12, submit your artwork here: https://woobox.com/bvfoej  
 
Voting begins at 10 a.m. on April 15 and ends at midnight on April 26. For more information, read the 2024 contest rules and visit DNR’s Youth Education Portal.
Vote for grades K – 5 art: https://woobox.com/vvh92k  
Vote for grades 6 – 8 art: https://woobox.com/nu5d53  
Vote for grades 9 –12 art: https://woobox.com/bvfoej 
 
Live Launch
The public is invited to a live launch for the contest over Zoom at 9:30 A.M. on March 4. Register here. A recording will be available after the event at www.dnr.wa.gov/kids.
 
 
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MEDIA CONTACTS
Michael Kelly
Communications Director
Cell: 360-878-4217
 
Zoe Love
Communications Consultant
Cell: 360-790-1886