LOUDOUN’S 2011 ARBOR DAY POSTER CONTEST

Loudoun Celebrates Trees -The Anchors of the Earth

The Loudoun Arbor Day poster contest is a creative way to learn about trees and express your artistic talent.Keep in mind that trees are the anchors of the earth for many reasons. Trees provide oxygen for us to breathe and filter pollutants from the air and ground water. Tree roots anchor soil to prevent water pollution. The canopy of a tree cushions the impact from falling raindrops. Trees also provide shade in the summer, warmth in the winter, lumber to build homes and furniture in addition to providing some of life’s essentials such as food & medicine.Throughout the four seasons they provide beauty and shelter for wildlife. Trees are very good at storing carbon. By absorbing carbon dioxide through their leaves and with a little help from sunlight, water and chlorophyll, trees make food that is stored in their trunks, branches, leaves and roots. This is known as a carbon sink which helps reduce the “greenhouse effect”. Trees are hard at work all day, every day, all over the world providing tremendous benefits for the environment. Trees most certainly are the anchors of the earth!

POSTER CONTEST GUIDELINES:The poster contest is open to all Loudoun County students in grades K–12. The objective of the contest is to create a poster that illustrates the contest theme:

Loudoun Celebrates Trees –TheAnchors of the Earth

  1. Posters must measure 11” X14” and should be bold and simple.
  2. All entries become the property of the sponsors and may be used at their discretion. The sponsors reserve the right to alter a poster’s design for printing purposes.
  3. VERY IMPORTANT – The following MUST APPEAR ON THE BACK OF EACH POSTER:This information is needed for recognition at the Arbor Day ceremony and to insure that winners will receive prizes.

Students Name ______

Grade ______Age ______

School Name ______

Teacher’s Name ______

  1. All entries must be received no later than Friday,5:00pm, APRIL 8, 2011

Please send posters to: Attn: Pat McIlvaine -Loudoun Soil & Water Conservation District

30 Catoctin Circle, SE, Suite H, Leesburg, VA 20175

(Posters can be sent through the county pony mail system to Loudoun SWCD #95)

  1. Prizes will be awarded to the top 50 posters. Winning posters will be on display at the 2011 Loudoun Arbor Day Celebration being held at the Dornin Science Center at The Hill School in Middleburgon Saturday, April 30, 2011. Winners will be recognized at the Loudoun Arbor Day formal ceremony by Dr. Edgar Hatrick, Superintendent of Loudoun County Public Schools,along with Tim Hemstreet, County Administrator, the Keynote Speaker.

POSTER CONTEST DEADLINE IS APRIL 8, 2011

Sponsored by Loudoun Soil & Water Conservation District

and the Loudoun Arbor Day Committee

For more information please call Pat McIlvaine at the LSWCD Office

571-918-4530 x104 or email:

Websites withTree Facts, Lesson Plans and Resources:

Exploring the Secret Life of Trees

Dr. Arbor Talks Trees

Remarkable Trees of Virginia Project

4-H Tree Identification Project

Virginia Tech’s Tree Identification site