Contest Deadlines
LOCAL Arbor Day Poster Contest Registration Form
Contest Rules
2011-2012 Texas Arbor Day Competition Information

Clark Gardens has teamed-up with the Texas Forest Service to sponsor Parker and Palo Pinto County Arbor Day Poster Contest.

The Texas Forest Service sponsors a statewide poster contest for 4th and 5th Graders. Teachers are provided a curriculum corresponding with several state curriculum standards. The Texas Arbor Day Poster Contest is designed to build awareness and appreciation for trees and Arbor Day in fourth and fifth grade students across the state. Studies show that young children benefit educationally, behaviorally, and developmentally from connecting with trees and nature.

"The contest, and included environmental lessons, are correlated to the state curriculum for science and art," said Contest Coordinator, Pete Smith.

“It’s just a fun way to educate students about the benefits that come from the trees that surround us,” Smith said. “It’s not about forests somewhere else; it’s about trees where we live, trees that we see every day. Hopefully, the lesson will instill in them an environmental ethic that they can carry forward.”

Clark Gardens will sponsor the local competition in Parker and Palo Pinto County.  Clark Gardens Director, Carol Clark Montgomery said, “The Texas Forest Service has provided a great resource for teachers to share with their students. Clark Gardens is pleased to partner with the Texas Forest Service in offering prizes to both students and teachers who choose to participate. The more opportunities we have to teach our younger generation about the importance of trees in our ecosystem the better our environment will be in years to come.”

Participating students will receive certificates and free passes to Clark Gardens. Posters will be judged by a panel of judges chosen by Clark Gardens and a winner announced from each participating school. Prizes will be awarded to the winning student, his/her classroom, and classroom teacher.

The deadline for teachers to register to enter the LOCAL competition and judging dates are listed below. Winning posters will be entered in the State Competition.

To Enter LOCAL Clark Garden Sponsorship: November 1, 2011
Posters to be judged by Clark Garden Appointed Judges: December 12, 2011
Winning Poster must be received at Texas Forest Service: December 16, 2011

[ Arbor Day Poster Contest Registration Form ]

2011-2012 Texas Arbor Day Poster Contest Local Competition Rules

1. All posters must be original artwork created by a student in the fourth or fifth grade. Homeschooled students must be learning at the fourth or fifth grade level for science to participate.
2. The student’s first and last name must be written or signed in the upper, right-hand corner on the back of the poster.
3. Materials
   • Posters may be done in marker, crayon, watercolor, ink, acrylic, colored pencil and/or tempura paint.
   • Collages are not acceptable. Do not glue anything to your poster!
   • Computer or photo-generated art and/or lettering is not acceptable, without the advance permission of the contest coordinator.
4. Posters must be no smaller than 8 1/2” x 11” and no larger than 11” x 17”.
5. Posters must be done on paper that will allow for duplication, display and framing. In addition, posters should not be matted, mounted, laminated, framed, or folded.
6. The poster must be related to the contest theme in some way. The theme, Trees are Terrific…from Acorn to Oak! must be on the poster. All words on the poster must be spelled correctly!
7. Teachers and/or schools participating in the LOCAL competition sponsored by Clark Gardens must register with Clark Gardens by November 1, 2011 and posters will be judged by panel of Clark Garden appointed judges the week of December 12, 2011.
8. Only one poster per school may be sent to the Texas Forest Service. Each school will have ONE winner regardless of grade.
9. Local prizes for students, schools and teachers include:
   
   • All participating students will receive a Certificate of Participation and a one time pass to Clark Gardens.
   • Winning Students from each participating school wins: Family membership to Clark Gardens; a tree planted in their honor at their school; Students class wins a party hosted at their school.
   • Winning Students Classroom Teacher wins: Family membership to Clark Gardens; $50 gift certificate to Clark Gardens Gift Shop.

Read more about the 2011 Texas Arbor Day Poster Competion.