TAMA COUNTY – The Tama Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) is partnering with the National Association of Conservation Districts, Conservation Districts of Iowa and Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company in celebrating Stewardship Week from April 27 – May 4, 2025.

Kindergarten through 12th grade students who are homeschooled or who are attending a public or private school in Tama County are eligible to participate through Tama SWCD’s Stewardship Week Poster Contest. Local libraries and youth groups, such as 4-H, are invited to participate also. This year’s theme is “Home is Where the Habitat Is.”

One overall winner in the county will receive a $20 award. The winner at each grade level in each participating school will receive an award of $10. The SWCD’s countywide winner will be forwarded for regional competition, where the top selections in each grade category will receive $35 awards. Regional winners will be forwarded for statewide competition. Statewide winners will receive $50 awards rather than the regional award. Top statewide selections in each grade category will be forwarded for national consideration. The top three posters in each category of the national contest will receive monetary prizes: first-place winners will receive $200; second place winners will receive $150, and third place winners will receive $100.

The theme underscores that both natural and managed habitats play essential roles in our conservation efforts. While Stewardship Week is a week-long focused event, our commitment to celebrating and safeguarding these habitats extends throughout the entire year.

Our conservation community is dedicated to protecting a wide range of ecosystems, from pristine natural landscapes to carefully enhanced habitats. These efforts are critical in supporting biodiversity and maintaining ecological balance.

Hand drawn poster categories are available for grades K-1, 2-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12. The students’ posters must be on white paper, cardstock, or poster board and measure between 8½” x 11″ and 22” x 28″. Media used may include paint, crayon, pencil, colored pencil, marker, or charcoal. No 3-D effects are allowed. The 2025 Stewardship theme “Home is Where the Habitat Is” must be included in the artwork, and an entry form signed by a parent or guardian must accompany the poster entry. Hand drawn posters must arrive in the Tama SWCD office at 102 Business Hwy 30W in Toledo by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, May 2.

New last year, Braille posters may be submitted by students who are blind or otherwise vision impaired. Contact Mel Bro at the Tama Soil & Water Conservation District office, 641/484-2702, extension 3 or melody.bro@ia.nacdnet.net for further details.

Digital poster categories are available for grades 7-9 and 10-12. These entries may be horizontal or vertical, measuring 8.5” x 11″. Any mixed media suitable for reproduction as a poster — such as Canva, PicMonkey, Google Slides, Photoshop, InDesign, etc. — is allowed. The artwork must be completely original with no stock images, logos, etc. other than the NACD “Home is Where the Habitat Is” logo. The poster must be submitted as a 300 dpi JPEG or PNG, and an entry form signed by a parent or guardian must accompany the poster entry. Digital posters must be emailed to melody.bro@ia.nacdnet.net by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, May 2.

For an entry form or more information about Stewardship Week and conservation, contact Tama SWCD at 641-484-2702, extension 3. Visit the District online at https://www.facebook.com/TamaSWCD/, like its page, and watch the Stewardship Week celebrations unfold!