Youth Conservation Poster Contest

Calumet County sponsors an annual Conservation Poster Contest. Students in grades K through 12 can participate. The contest provides an opportunity for young people to become more aware of the conservation of our natural resources through artistic design. Winners receive an award and a chance to compete at the Lake Winnebago Land and Water Conservation Association, and possibly the state-wide competition held in March.

2025/2026 Theme: "Soil. Where it all Begins"

Entries are DUE DECEMBER 19, 2025

Entry Form (PDF)

Poster Contest Brochure (PDF)

All posters must be 14 inches by 22 inches or 12 inches by 18 inches and have this year's theme written and incorporated into the design of the Poster. Posters will be judged on conservation message, visual effectiveness, originality, and visual appeal.  Resources on healthy habitats are available below. Each entry must include an entry form attached to the back of the poster. Please complete and print off the entry form (PDF).

For Parents/ Guardians

If your student wishes to participate in the local contest, please email Dani Santry as soon as possible. Entries are due December 19, 2025, and can be mailed or dropped off to our office:

Land & Water Conservation Department
206 Court Street
Room 133
Chilton, WI 53014

Posters should be packaged so they remain flat while sent to our office.  Pick up can be made available upon request.

For Teachers

If you wish to incorporate the poster contest into your classroom curriculum, you may have each student complete a poster. Email Dani Santry for more details and arrange for staff to pick up the posters. While this is a free event, please contact our office if supply cost is an issue but you have students who would like to participate. Posters should be packaged so they remain flat while being sent to our office.

Resources for Students, Teachers and Families!

Elementary School Age Resources: 

• “Soil is alive” video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-J2FErZHuA&t=117s
• “Where does soil come from” video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5b9o7yM7YGE
• Soil facts for kids: https://kids.kiddle.co/Soil
• Soil sensory activities: https://childsplayabc.wordpress.com/2021/07/01/soil-science-and-sensory-activities/ 
• NACD soil health reading list: https://www.nacdnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Childrens-Books-UPDATED.pdf
• Why is soil amazing video: https://thekidshouldseethis.com/post/why-is-soil-one-of-the-most-amazing-things-on-earth
• Powerpoint including “do you think this soil is healthy” activity: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1JyuTI5SOYHFJJmRF2oczzGpft8Te7yb10YVgv6Hp5Xc/template/preview

Middle School Age Resources

• Overview document: https://www.soils4teachers.org/files/s4t/soils-overview.pdf

• CSSA Overview Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DA8u2GF0r08

• NRCS curriculum: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/natural-resource-concerns/soil/soil-health/soil-health-education-and-outreach

• Human/Soil interaction: https://www.soils4teachers.org/human-soil-interactions

• Shorter Video explaining ‘Soil Health’ as a term, with good visuals of the actual soil: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofmWHWimdFM

• Master list of a bunch of curricula and videos and resources: https://cropwatch.unl.edu/youth-soil-quality-lessons-and-videos/

High School Age Resources

• Let’s avoid another dust bowl, SD NRCS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCi-bPZHgwQ
• NRCS Soil Health definition and basics: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/natural-resource-concerns/soil/soil-health
• Shorter Video explaining ‘Soil Health’ as a term, with good visuals of the actual soil: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofmWHWimdFM
• IFSHA Guide: https://farmlandinfo.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/02/NRCS-Cropland-In-Field-Soil-Health-Assessment.pdf**** (important, great resource and activity)
• A soil documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntJouJhLM48
• Web soil survey to play around with: https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/WebSoilSurvey.aspx

The posters will be judged by local conservation professionals and county supervisors.