Carroll 5th Graders Invited to Enter State's Arbor Day Poster Contest

The 2023 open call for public and private school 5th-grade artists comes from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Maryland Forest Conservancy District Boards. Over the past five years, Caroll County 5th-grade artists placed in the top three categories of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ Arbor Day Poster Contest. Three students took home first place in 2018, 2020, and 2021. Two students were awarded third place in 2019 and 2022.

The 2023 theme is “Trees Are Terrific…and Cool our Communities!” All original works-of-art must be delivered to the MD DNR Carroll Forest Service office in Westminster. The submission deadline is 12noon on January 20th.

The poster size must be no smaller than 8.5 by 11 inches and no larger than 22 by 28 inches. Content must be drawn in acrylic, crayon, ink, marker, paint pens, regular or colored pencil, tempera paint, or watercolor.

The Carroll County Forestry Board members judge submitted posters. The next round for those winning posters is when they are presented to the Maryland Urban and Community Forest Committee to compete at the statewide level. Afterwards, a panel evaluates posters in running for the top three placements.

The artists of the three winning posters will have trees planted at their schools. The first place will win 15 trees, second place will receive 10, and third place will receive five. Teachers will be notified by March 3rd, and school plantings will be scheduled in spring of 2023.

If you have any questions about the contest, contact Anne Gilbert at 410-260-8510 or anne.gilbert@maryland.gov

*Update*

Addilyn Centineo, a fifth grade Carroll County student was awarded first place in the statewide 2023 Arbor Day. To find out more and about the contest winners, visit https://news.maryland.gov/dnr/2023/03/07/maryland-forest-service-names-2023-arbor-day-poster-contest-winners/