Poster developed by a young student in a previous SWCD contest. The Kleberg-Kenedy Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Directors have just received the information for the 2011 poster and essay contest for students in the local schools.

Children 12 years and under are eligible for the poster contest and 18 years and under for the essay contest.

This is an open contest to boys and girls and does not jeopardize Texas University Interscholastic League eligibility.

“Our District continues to place a priority on conservation education of our youth in the local schools,” says Vern Crocker, Secretary of the Kleberg- Kenedy SWCD Board. “Our Board provides this opportunity for the Kleberg and Kenedy students to learn about the importance of soil and water conservation to our daily existence.

The posters for the 2011 contest will be based on the 2011 theme of “Forest For People-More Than You Can Imagine” or the 2010 theme of “Conservation Habits = Healthy Habitats.”

The basic topic in the 2011 theme is the role that trees play in our environment.

The 2010 theme covers how everyday habits affect the environment and the habitats all around us. More information can be obtained from the stewardship website at http://www.stewardshipweek.com.

The essay contest theme for the 2010 is “Why Soil and Water Conservation Is Important To My Future”.

The students should write their essay about soil and water conservation, making it interesting to the reader so that the reader can understand the essay.

Make sure the ideas are clear and easy to read and write the ideas in detail so that the reader really understands what he or she is saying.

Of course, correct spelling, capitalization, punctuation, grammar and sentences are a must.

Again for more information on the essay and poster contest, please visit the NACD web site at www. stewardshipweek.com.

Maximum of 300 words is allowable in preparation of the essays for children 13 and under and maximum of 500 for children 14 to 18. “This is the fifth year that the essay contest has been split up between the age groups,” says David Schubert, director on the Board. “Splitting the age groups helps in fairness for those participating.”

“Our district looks forward to working with the schools through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) with this educational program,” says Ernest Bippert, Jr., Director on the Board. “Our District office has the information concerning the contest and our District staff will be getting the information out to the schools that are interested in the near future. Any schools in Kleberg and Kenedy Counties that may be interested should contact the District office at 401 E. King Ste.100 or call at 361-592-0309 ext. 3 in Kingsville.”

“The top five students in the poster and essay contests in the junior and senior divisions will be recognized at the Annual Awards Banquet usually held in February of each year,” says John Prukop, Chairman of the local SWCD Board in Kingsville. “The education of our youth in all facets of agriculture especially in conservation remains a high priority with our board.”

For more information, contact the District office in Kingsville at 592-0309 Ext. 3 or come by the office at 401 East King Avenue, Suite 100.