Here is what YOU and YOUR students can do to help the Environment:

We're inviting 1 st through 5 th grade students to demonstrate through
original drawings of Smokey Bear or Woodsy Owl their understanding
of fire prevention and basic environmental conservation principles.

Smokey Bear is recognized nationally and internationally as the symbol for fire prevention. You've seen him dressed in a ranger's hat and blue jeans and carrying a shovel. The original Smokey Bear appeared in 1944. Smokey's message, “Remember, Only You can prevent wildfires,” is one that children have heard for many years. It encouraging personal responsibility for fire prevention. Smokey Bear teaches children and adults to be careful with campfires, barbecues, trash fires, and matches.

Woodsy Owl is America's icon for the conservation of the environment. Since 1971, Woodsy has been helping parents and teachers inspire children to observe, explore, and care for the environment. He challenges children to “Lend a Hand — Care for the Land!” Woodsy Owl encourages children to join him by taking an active role in caring for the land through recycling, reusing, and reducing waste; planting and caring for trees; using resources wisely (such as not wasting water or electricity); not littering; and generally caring for the planet we live on.

The Grand Prize National Poster Contest Winner will win a free round trip airfare and
accommodations for four to Washington, DC. A $100 U.S. Savings Bond will also be
awarded to the First Place National Winners from each grsde level.

Show your support sponsoring
a poster contest for your local youngsters.

Once again it is time to distribute the information to you regarding the “Smokey Bear” Poster contest. This year's poster contest is promising to bigger than ever. Your clubs winning poster must be sent to your CGCI Smokey Bear Chairman no later than January 19th.

Please complete and return with your clubs winning posters the Local Chairman Report Form.  The US Forestry keeps a record of the number of schools, youth organizations, and students you reach within each state. The US Forest Service invests tax payer money in keeping this partnership alive. We need to help them justify the use of these funds by providing an estimate of our outreach efforts with the Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl poster contest.

This year I am pleased to inform you that the members of CGCI are now authorized to order Woodsy Owl, Smokey Bear and Fire Prevention products from the National Symbols Products Catalog. You may access the products catalog by logging into www.symbols.gov. These products can only be used for educational purposes and must be distributed for free to the public. You must have a password to place and order. The password assigned is as follows:

Username: reduce                                                                                       Passcode: scoe6438

The Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl poster contest is one of those opportunities for local Garden Clubs to get out its message. You are encouraged to use the contest to promote your club, attract children and their parents and fulfill one of the goals of the organization that is raise awareness for the caring of the environment.

Thank you so much for your support and commitment to our partnership with the US Forest Service.

Email Linda Riddle at: smokey_bear@cagardenclubs.org

1. All poster entrees must be sponsored by a local Garden Club.
   
2. Posters must feature Smokey Bear or Woodsy Owl and must not feature both together.
   
3. Smokey Bear posters must be based upon and include, Smokey's fire prevention message
   (Only YOU Can Prevent Wildfires!). Woodsy Owl posters must be based
   upon and include, Woodsy's conservation message (Lend a Hand — Care for the Land!).
   
4. The entry posters should encourage children to take a personal role in preventing wildfires
   or conserving natural resources.
   
5. Each entry should be 11 x 17 inches in size.
   
6. Materials that can be used include: crayons, markers, poster paints, water colors, etc.
7. No three-dimensional posters, computer scanned, or electronically generated images will be accepted!
   
8. The artist's name, address, home phone number, grade level, school, teacher's name, city, and State
   must be printed on the back of the poster in the lower right corner. Each poster must also show the name
   of the sponsoring local Garden Club. (Do not use a dark marker for this information as it may show through.)
   Click here to download a full-sheet of 4 labels in pdf format.
   
9. The Local Garden Club Chair must submit the poster entries no later than January 19, 2010 to his or her State's Chair at the following address:

Linda Riddle
31024 Rabbit Springs Road
Lucerne Valley, 92356-8136
E-Mail: Ridfam@sisp.net Phone: 760-248-6397
Email: smokey_bear@cagardenclubs.org

Poster Tips

1. A good poster is bold and simple in design.
2. It;s message is delivered in both the picture and the slogan.
3. It's message is easily understood.
4. Posters are to be completed by individual student artists. Competition may include
students from 1st to 5th grade.
5. Posters will be judged 20 percent each for originality, design, slogan, artwork, and
overall effectiveness of the message.
6, Please check the spelling. Posters with spelling errors will be disqualified.
7. Feel free to offer certificates of appreciation to all participants. Certificates are available and downloadable at www.symbols.gov. The National Garden Clubs, Inc. has certificates at their website also.

Click here to download these poster rules and tips in .pdf format.

Property Rights
All entries will become property of the USDA Forest Service. Posters will not be returned to contestants. The USDA Forest Service or the National Garden Clubs, Inc., may use the poster artwork for national educational materials and outreach.