2025 Conservation Poster Contest
The Conservation Poster Contest is a national competition sponsored by the National Association of Conservation Districts and offered locally at the district level. District winners advance to the state level. Only local soil & water conservation districts can forward their local winning poster entries to the VASWCD office for consideration at the state level. Virginia state winners will advance to the National Contest. National winners are recognized each year at the NACD Annual Meeting. The contest is open to the public, private or home school students, girl scout/boy scout troops, etc.
Any Scout who creates a poster and submits it to their local SWCD for judging can earn the VASWCD Poster Contest Patch. When submitting a poster to earn the Poster Contest Patch, be sure to check the box on the entry form. Please note that poster patches are distributed in December each year.
2025 Theme - "Home is where the Habitat is"
NACD’s 70th Stewardship Week will be held April 27th - May 4th, 2025. In 2025, NACD’s Stewardship Week will be focusing on habitats and the theme of "Home is where the Habitat is".
This theme highlights the essential role of both natural and managed habitats in our conservation efforts. Conservation is dedicated to protecting a wide range of ecosystems—from pristine natural landscapes to carefully managed habitats. These efforts are critical in supporting biodiversity and maintaining ecological balance.
Every living thing has a habitat where it thrives best, whether it's an isolated forest high on a mountain or in a well-maintained city park. The phrase “Home is where the Habitat is” emphasizes our responsibility to be good stewards of all habitats, in all the places we find them.
Resources for the 2025 and past conservation poster contest themes are available and offered by the National Association of Conservation Districts. These include booklets, activity sheets, storybooks, K-12 lessons and activities, coloring pages, and additional teaching materials. You can access these materials here.
How to Enter:
The 2025 Conservation Poster Contest is now open! Poster submission is due to NVSWCD by June 30th, 2025. Please note that this is earlier than our past competitions!
Hand-drawn Poster Contest - Open to all students in grades K-12. The NVSWCD guidelines can be found here.
Digital Poster Contest - Open to all students in grades 7-12. Please refer to the digital poster contest rules within the NVSWCD competition guidelines.
*NEW* Braille Poster Contest - Open to all students in grades K-12, the local NVSWCD competition follows the NACD national guidelines. The Braille Poster Contest invites blind and low-vision students to create posters using braille, whether through braille type, labeling, or raised dots. More information can be found in the NVSWCD competition guidelines.
*NEW* Additional Assistance Poster Contest - Open to all students in grades K-12, the Additional Assist Poster Contest offers support for students needing extra help to complete their posters, promoting inclusivity and conservation advocacy. More information can be found in the NVSWCD competition guidelines.
All posters (hand-drawn and digital) must contain the contest theme phrase "Home is where the Habitat is". See posters from past contests for examples.
Posters can be submitted digitally to conservationdistrict@fairfaxcounty.gov. Posters should be submitted digitally as a .jpeg, .png, or similar file format along with the entry form by the deadline. Posters and images may be of any size at least 8.5" by 11" or larger. When photographing or scanning your poster for submission, be sure that the entire poster is clear and visible (with good lighting), the image is appropriately cropped, and the photo accurately reflects the original poster.
Posters can also be mailed to the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District (NVSWCD) office by June 30, 2025. Posters may be dropped off by appointment.
Northern Virginia Soil & Water Conservation District
12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 905, Fairfax, VA 22035
or
conservationdistrict@fairfaxcounty.gov
Poster Entry Deadline: June 30, 2025
Conservation Poster Contest Entry Form 2025
NVSWCD Poster Contest Guidelines 2025
Local winners receive recognition and a prize from NVSWCD and are forwarded to the state competition.
2024 Conservation Poster Contest Entries and Winners - "May the Forest Be with You, Always"
The 2024 theme underscores the critical interplay between soil and water conservation and the resilience of our forests. Forests play multifaceted roles in sustaining our planet, serving as sources of oxygen, carbon storage, and vibrant hubs of biodiversity. They function as steadfast protectors of soil and water resources, preventing erosion, purifying contaminants, and nurturing healthy watersheds.
In today’s context, marked by environmental challenges, resilient forests are indispensable in fostering a sustainable world. The phrase “May the Forest Be with You, Always” signifies our commitment to responsible forest stewardship, emphasizing their enduring strength and adaptability.
Resources for the 2024 and past conservation poster contest themes are available and offered by the National Association of Conservation Districts and include booklets, activity sheets, storybooks, K-12 lessons and activities, coloring pages, and additional teaching materials. You can access these materials here.
NVSWCD received 42 poster contest submissions for the 2024 contest, and we are pleased to share with you the winners from each grade category.
From left to right, top to bottom: Peter Keybl, Kindergarten; McKenna Caswell, 2nd Grade; Sarah Saravanan, 5th Grade.
From left to right, top to bottom: Anna Darido, 8th Grade; Olivia Garcia, 7th Grade (Digital); Melinda Nguyen, 12th Grade (Digital).
2023 NVSWCD Poster Contest Entries and Winners - "One Water"
The theme for 2023 conservation poster contest was "One Water" with a focus on watersheds. But what is a watershed? A watershed is a land area that drains into a particular body of water. The water in a watershed is interconnected and affected by the land and activities within it. Understanding the watershed in which we live is crucial because it affects water quality, availability, and the habitat for plants and animals. By protecting watersheds from pollution and overuse, we can preserve this vital resource for future generations.
Resources for One Water is offered by the National Association of Conservation Districts and include booklets, activity sheets, storybooks, K-12 lessons and activities, coloring pages, and additional teaching materials. You can access these materials here.
NVSWCD received 62 poster contest submissions for the 2023 contest, and we are pleased to share with you the winners from each grade category.
Left to Right: McKenna Caswell, 1st grade; Kiaan Bage, 3rd grade; Miri Kamath, 5th grade.
Left to Right: Emma Dewhirst, 8th grade; Shriya Sigurupati, 10th grade; Sarah Leroux, 11th grade.
2022 NVSWCD Poster Contest Entries and Winners - "Healthy Soil, Healthy Life"
Resources for Healthy Soil, Healthy Life are offered by the National Association of Conservation Districts and include booklets, activity sheets, storybooks, K-12 lessons and activities, coloring pages, and additional teaching materials. You can access these materials here.
NVSWCD received 20 poster contest submissions for the 2022 contest and we are pleased to share with you the winners from each grade category.
Left to right: McKenna Caswell, Kindergarten; Akshara Menon, 3rd Grade; Evan Moh, 4th Grade
Left to right: Brooke Ehmann-Jones, 9th Grade; Bonny Koo, 12th Grade
2021 NVSWCD Poster Contest Entries and Winners - "Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities"
The theme for the 2021 conservation poster contest was Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities. Healthy forests promote healthy communities by creating healthier environments. Trees reduce storm water runoff, increase the soil’s ability to absorb and store water, and prevent soil erosion—all of which lead to cleaner, healthier waterways and reduce flooding that can impact communities. Trees can also absorb and break down certain pollutants, and their shading and cooling effects make cities more livable and help reduce cooling costs and energy consumption. Through photosynthesis, which converts carbon dioxide and water into tree trunks, roots, and leaves, trees can help capture and store atmospheric greenhouse gases and mitigate the risks associated with climate change.
Resources for Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities are offered by the National Association of Conservation Districts and include booklets, activity sheets, storybooks, K-12 lessons and activities, coloring pages, and additional teaching materials. You can access these materials here.
NVSWCD received 71 poster contest submissions for the 2021 contest and we are pleased to share with you the winners from each grade category.
Left to right: Muse Von Schriltz, Kindergarten, age 4; McClain Caswell, 3rd grade, age 8; Pinidi Kahandawa, 6th grade, age 11.
Left: Varsha Ayala, 7th grade, age 11; Right: Yeajoo Cho, 12th grade, age 17.
We received so many outstanding entries to the poster contest, we decided to honor two additional posters!
Honorable mentions, Left: Akshara Menon, 2nd grade, age 7; Right: Brooke Ehmann-Jones, 8th grade, age 13.
2020 NVSWCD Poster Contest Entries and Winners - "Where would we BEE without pollinators?"
The 2020 poster contest theme was Where would we BEE without pollinators? Pollinators form the foundations of a healthy and sustainable future for food and the environment, but in recent years, they have shown concerning signs of decline. It’s important that we work to help them prosper by enhancing native pollinator habitats and protecting against pollinator declines. The Pollinator Partnership is one of many great resources when learning about pollinators!
Resources for Where would we BEE without pollinators? are offered by the National Association of Conservation Districts and include booklets, activity sheets, storybooks, K-12 lessons and activities, coloring pages, and additional teaching materials. You can access these materials here.
In 2020, we received twenty-one submissions from all across Fairfax County and we are delighted to share our winners for each grade category. Our K-1 category winner, Natalie Peters, also won first place at the VASWCD state poster contest competition!
Left to Right: Natalie Peters, Kindergarden, Age 6; McClain Caswell, 2nd Grade, Age 7; Dahnbi Chu, 5th Grade, Age 10
Left to Right: Eva Cunha, 7th Grade, Age 12; Hae Kim, 10th Grade, Age 15; Noah Hush, 11th Grade, Age 15
2019 NVSWCD Poster Contest Entries and Winners - "Life in the Soil: Dig Deeper"
The 2019 poster contest theme was Life in the Soil: Dig Deeper. Soil is a dirty topic, but everyone needs to learn more about it! Soil is the foundation for many of the items we use in our daily life, such as food, clothing, clean water, homes and more. Healthy soil equals healthy food, which equals a healthy you. Don’t treat your soil like dirt!
Resources for Life in the Soil: Dig Deeper are offered by the National Association of Conservation Districts and include booklets, activity sheets, storybooks, K-12 lessons and activities, coloring pages, and additional teaching materials. You can access these materials here.
In 2019, we received over one hundred submissions from all across Fairfax County and we are delighted to share our winners for each grade category. Our K-1 category winner, McClain Caswell, also won first place at the VASWCD state poster contest competition!
Left: McClain Caswell, 1st Grade, Age 6; Right: Leena Saad, 3rd Grade, Age 8
Left: Sophie Le, 5th Grade, Age 11; Right: Jessica Bae, 8th Grade, Age 13