Annual Conservation Coloring and Poster Contest
North St. Louis SWCD annually sponsors a Conservation Poster Contest for students in grades K-6.
The local poster contest theme focuses on soil, water, and natural resources changing every year based on the National Association of Conservation Districts national theme. 2024’s theme is:
“May The Forest Be With You Always”
Finalist poster entries will be selected by the North St. Louis SWCD board and staff and displayed at the Iron Range Earth Fest on April 20th to determine the top three entries in Grades K-1, 2-3, and 4-6.
Recognition and gift card prizes will be awarded through their teachers:
1st Place: $25, 2nd Place $15, and 3rd Place $10
Read here for rules and additional details: Poster Contest Flyer 2024
The National Association of Conservation Districts has also created a FREE Education and Lesson Plans Guide
Conservation in (and out of) the Classroom
Are you looking for a way to bring soil and water conservation to life in your classroom or with a youth group? The North St. Louis Soil & Water Conservation District has a variety of conservation education resources available for a variety of grades including teacher guides and lesson plans, activity books, pamphlets and posters, and demonstration materials.
We can also visit your school and present on topics including:
- Water, Watersheds, & Water Quality
- Soil Ecology & Conservation
- Invasive Species
- Wildlife Habitats, Forestry, Pollinators, & Plant Identification
Check out or Education Catalog for program options or ask us if we can help!
The Envirothon
The Envirothon is a national environmental education program for high school students in grades 9-12. It combines classroom learning with outdoor activities. Through Envirothon, students develop an understanding of effective teamwork, as well as learning about Minnesota’s natural resources. They also gain valuable exposure to a range of disciplines while exploring possible career paths.
Teams of students compete by visiting 5 learning stations and taking a 20-point exam on an environmental topic. The topics are:
- Aquatics
- Forestry
- Soils
- Wildlife
- Current Events
Regional area competitions are hosted and managed by local Soil & Water Conservation District staff. Student teams from St. Louis County compete at the Area 3 Envirothon in early May of each year.
For more information, contact our Community Conservationist, Becca Reiss at becca@nslswcd.org or 218-288-6143. More information on state Envirothon can be found at: https://www.maswcd.org/envirothon.htm
The 2024 Area III in-person competition on Monday, May 6 at the Cloquet Forestry Center. This year’s theme is “Renewable Energy for a Sustainable Future in Minnesota.” The State Envirothon will be in Finland, Minnesota at Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center on Monday, May 20.
Want us to present to your group?
Looking for a presenter for your Rotary Club, lake association meeting, garden social or other group? We would be happy to present on a topic in soil and water conservation that will fit your needs.
Potential topics include:
- What is an SWCD?
- Shoreline Restoration
- Aquatic Invasive Species
- Forestry & Tree Planting
Let us know what you are looking for! If it is not our area of expertise, we will direct you to someone who might be able to help.
