2024 Arbor Day Poster Contest Now Open

PHOTO: Lyla Jones of Brandywine Springs Elementary (at right) was the State winner for the 2023 poster contest.

Contact:
Ashley Melvin, Delaware Forest Service

(302) 698-4551  ashley.melvin@delaware.gov

DOVER, Del. (February 1, 2024) – The Delaware Forest Service is now seeking entries for its annual Arbor Day Poster Contest, open to all K-5 public, private, homeschool, after-school, and other organized youth groups. The annual Arbor Day Poster Contest is designed to increase an appreciation and awareness of the important role that trees play in our quality of life, communities, ecosystems, and our state. The Arbor Day Poster Contest is a fun way to celebrate Arbor Day with your students.

This year’s theme, “Trees are Terrific…for Outdoor Adventures!” is intended to highlight the importance of getting outside. Ample data exists to document that when children and adults spend more time outdoors, they become healthier, less stressed, more connected to nature, and better stewards of the environment. There are many activities that can be enjoyed outdoors, and trees and forests can enhance the experience. At a Delaware State Forest, for instance, you can explore, camp, hike, fish, birdwatch, ride bikes, read a book, or just take time away from your busy lifestyle. Even if you don’t have access to a forest, trees can be found in so many parts of our daily lives. Trees exist in parks, schoolyards, and backyards and can serve as the central focus of many outdoor adventures!

Delaware’s Official Arbor Day is Friday, April 26.

Posters will be judged on originality, use of theme, neatness, and artistic expression. Each winner receives a gift card, a tree-themed book, and a tree planting at their school. Twelve winners will be selected, one from each county in four grade categories: kindergarten, grades 1 and 2, grades 3 and 4, and grade 5. All participating classes will receive free loblolly pine seedlings delivered to their school.

2024 Arbor Day Poster Flyer
Download Arbor Day Contest Flyer

The 12 winners will be invited to the annual Statewide Arbor Day Celebration hosted by Governor Carney. A tree-planting ceremony will also be scheduled at each winner’s school to celebrate Arbor Day. This year, the teacher of each of the 12 poster winners will receive a “Tree Trunk” of outdoor learning resources.

The deadline to register is March 9, with entries submitted by March 22.

Register to Participate and Receive Seedlings:

2024 Arbor Day Poster Contest – Google Form

Contest Guidelines and Teacher Resources:

Guidelines and Resources – Shared Google Drive

SEEDLING ANNOUNCEMENT: We have been notified by the tree nurseries in the tri-state area of a projected shortage of tree seedlings this year. Some species have already sold out due to the increase in reforestation projects happening in our area. Participation in the annual Arbor Day Poster Contest has also increased to the point that giving seedlings away may not remain sustainable (what a problem to have!). We will do our best to fill the orders until we run out of seedlings. If you do not think the majority of your students will be able to plant their seedlings, consider declining the offer to receive them.

This year the Delaware Forest Service is also celebrating Smokey Bear’s 80th Birthday. Smokey wants everyone to enjoy their Outdoor Adventures wherever they may take you. As families are encouraged to spend time outdoors, Smokey’s timeless message reinforces the need for civic responsibility while enjoying Delaware’s precious natural resources. You can share the story of Smokey Bear with your students by participating in the National Smokey Bear Reading Challenge at a local library near you!

Planting a tree is a fun activity we can enjoy today, knowing that the tree will continue to improve our lives over time. Trees planted throughout our communities not only provide beauty but help shade our streets and schoolyards and create habitat and food for wildlife. Trees planted today will benefit our communities tomorrow by improving air quality, serving as sound barriers, moderating air temperatures, reducing energy consumption, and filtering run-off into streams and rivers.

For more information, contact: ashley.melvin@delaware.gov

2023 Arbor Day Poster Contest Now Open

PHOTO: Lilly Bartlett of Allen Frear Elementary (at right) was the State winner for the 2022 poster contest.

Contact:
Ashley Melvin, Delaware Forest Service

(302) 698-4551  ashley.melvin@delaware.gov 

DOVER, Del. (January 6, 2023) — The Delaware Forest Service is now seeking entries for its annual Arbor Day Poster Contest, open to all K-5 public, private, homeschool, after-school, and other organized youth groups.  Designed to increase student knowledge about trees and forest resources, the contest is a great way for students to learn about the role trees play in our communities and their direct impact on Delawareans’ health and well-being.

This year’s theme, “Trees are Terrific…In All Shapes and Sizes!” highlights the importance of tree diversity in our community forests, which attracts a variety of wildlife and is more visually stimulating.

Arbor Day is Friday, April 28.

Posters will be judged on originality, use of theme, neatness, and artistic expression. Each winner receives a gift card, a tree-themed book, and a tree planting at their school.  Twelve winners will be selected, one from each county in four grade categories: kindergarten, grades 1 and 2, grades 3 and 4, and grade 5. All participating classes will receive free loblolly pine seedlings delivered to their school.

The 12 winners will be invited to the annual Statewide Arbor Day Celebration hosted by Governor Carney. A tree planting ceremony will also be scheduled at each winner’s school to celebrate Arbor Day. The deadline to register is March 9, with entries submitted by April 1.

Register to Participate and Receive Seedlings:

2023arbordaypostercontest.eventbrite.com

Contest Guidelines and Teacher Resources

tinyurl.com/rzzagf6  (Shared Google Drive)

Planting a tree is a fun activity we can enjoy today, knowing that the tree will continue to improve our lives over time. Trees planted throughout our communities not only provide beauty but help shade our streets and schoolyards and create habitat and food for wildlife. Trees planted today will also be terrific “tomorrow” as they improve air quality, muffle noise, moderate air temperatures, filter run-off into streams and rivers, and reduce energy consumption.

For more information, contact: ashley.melvin@delaware.gov

Gov. Carney celebrates Arbor Day in Rehoboth Beach

View high-resolution images from the 2021 Arbor Day Ceremony: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmVt4ZHB

Watch a video of the Arbor Day Ceremony at: https://vimeo.com/543833663

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. (April 30, 2021) – Governor John C. Carney, Jr. proclaimed Arbor Day in Delaware at a ceremony at Rehoboth Elementary School attended by fifth-grade students and staff, members of the General Assembly, and city and state officials. The event recognized Mayor Stan Mills and the City of Rehoboth Beach for its 30th year as a Tree City USA. Governor Carney also honored student winners in the Delaware Forest Service’s annual Arbor Day School Poster Contest. Two new oak trees were planted on the school campus for the event.

Carney Arbor Day

Carney addressed the audience on the importance of trees to the environment: “One of my favorite bumper stickers, in terms of our personal responsibility to protect the environment, is ‘think globally, but act locally’ … we can do something, each of us, to protect our environment, to address global warming, and to prepare a better world for all of us in the future.” Carney said. “And one of the best things we can do is plant more trees.”

Speakers included Rehoboth Mayor Stan Mills, Agriculture Secretary Michael T. Scuse, DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin, Delaware State Forester Michael Valenti, and Nick Serratore of the Rehoboth Art League. Honored guests included Speaker of the House Peter Schwartzkopf, Senator Ernesto Lopez, State Auditor Kathleen K. McGuiness, and Rehoboth Beach city commissioners.

Agriculture Secretary Michael T. Scuse highlighted the importance of trees to Delaware: “Arbor Day is a great day to both celebrate trees and remind us to plant more,” he said.  “Trees have many natural benefits that help improve our environment. Trees are great at capturing carbon dioxide emissions, which helps improve the air quality in our climate. They also serve as buffers to protect water quality by reducing soil erosion and decreasing runoff. The Delaware Forest Service’s Urban and Community Program works to increase tree canopy in communities statewide. Every community can find its tree canopy level at de.gov/treecanopy and then work with the Forest Service to improve it.”

DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin addressed the students with a direct message of their role in today’s world: “There are people like me who speak to students who say ‘And you’re the environmental stewards of the future.’ And I’m the first person to stand up and say, actually, no. You are the environmental stewards of today. You are the ones who are pushing us and holding us accountable because this is your future we’re talking about.”

State forester Michael A. Valenti asked the students to take the lead and plant trees for future generations: “I urge you to protect trees and the forests in your communities, in your county, and in the state. Because trees provide so many natural benefits, we cannot live without them.”

Mayor Mills accepted recognition from Delaware State Forester Michael Valenti for their 30th year as a Tree City USA:

“This is such a terrific, terrific honor… The city has a history, as you know, of investing in its trees, and we will continue to do so. We value trees not just for their beauty but also for their health, social, environmental, and wildlife benefits,” Mill said. “And I also want to thank the state for supporting us in our effort to maintain the health and beauty of our trees. It takes an effort and a partnership, and I also want to give additional thanks to all those within our community who plant and nurture trees, and who are committed to the City of Rehoboth Beach continuing as a Tree City USA.”

RES poster winners

 

Rehoboth Elementary School fifth-grader Miranda Garcia was among three fifth-grade students honored for her winning entry in the Delaware Forest Service’s Arbor Day School Poster Contest – she was selected as the Sussex County winner for Grade 5. The winning students participated in a ceremonial tree watering of two new white oaks planted on the school campus, along with Governor Carney and state officials.

Watering trees Rehoboth

2021 Arbor Day School Poster Contest

2021 Contest Theme: “Trees are Terrific… In Many Wonderful Ways!”

DOVER — The Delaware Forest Service is seeking entries for its annual “Arbor Day School Poster Contest” – open to students in grades K to 5 from all Delaware public, private, home school, after-school, and other organized youth groups. Winning posters will be selected from each of the three counties in the following categories: kindergarten, grades 1 and 2, grades 3 and 4, and grade 5. The twelve winners will be recognized at the annual Statewide Arbor Day Celebration and receive a tree planting ceremony at their school to celebrate Arbor Day. Deadline to register is March 15. Posters must be submitted by April 1.

The poster contest is designed to increase student knowledge about forests and forest resources. For teachers, the poster contest can be an ideal way for students to learn more about the role of trees in our communities and their direct impact on Delawareans’ health and well-being. The schoolyard is a perfect setting to incorporate the role of trees into your everyday curriculum. Trees not only provide beauty, shade, and habitat and food for wildlife, they also improve air quality, muffle noise, moderate air temperatures, filter runoff into streams and rivers, and reduce energy consumption.

Important Links

Criteria

Posters will be judged on originality, use of theme, neatness, and artistic expression.

Classroom Resources

Teachers can access the shared Google folder for  Teacher Resource Shared Google Drive and additional resources.

Free Seedlings

All participating classes will receive free loblolly pine seedlings delivered to their schools, just in time to celebrate Arbor Day!

Registration

Arbor Day Poster Registration Site

Questions:

Ashley Melvin, Delaware Forest Service
(302) 698-4551

ashley.melvin@delaware.gov

Dates to Remember:

  • Deadline to register and reserve free seedlings: March 15
  • Deadline to submit posters for state contest: April 1
  • Arbor Day in Delaware: April 30
  • Seedling delivery: mid-April

Delaware’s Arbor Day is Friday, April 30, 2021.

Established by J. Sterling Morton in Nebraska in 1872, Arbor Day is an annual occasion to encourage everyone to plant trees and celebrate the numerous benefits that trees provide. In Delaware, the last Friday of April is traditionally observed as “Arbor Day.”

In 2019, the Delaware Forest Service hosted its annual Arbor Day Ceremony at Dover’s Schutte Park, honoring its school poster contest winners and recognizing Dover’s 30th Year as the First State’s longest-running Tree City USA. The event culminated with the planting of more than 30 large trees at six locations, including a zelkova on the historic Green on State Street. Delaware State University also held its Arbor Day event and is now celebrating its 9th consecutive year as Delaware’s only certified Tree Campus USA. Check out the 2019 Arbor Day photos on Flickr or at the Delaware Forest Service Facebook Page.

Previous Winners:

For more information, email: Ashley Melvin

Arbor Day observances are also an integral part of community recognition programs such as Tree Campus USA, Tree City USA, and Delaware’s Tree Friendly Community Award, as well as qualifying for a financial award from the Urban Grant Program.

Past Delaware Arbor Day celebrations:

Arbor Day Poster Contest for Grades K to 5

Delaware Forest Service Arbor Day Poster Contest

2020 theme is “Trees Are Terrific…in Many Wonderful Ways!”

DOVER, Del. — To celebrate Arbor Day in the First State, the Delaware Forest Service is once again holding its annual “Arbor Day School Poster Contest” for students in grades K to 5 from all Delaware public, private, home school, after-school, and other organized youth groups. Winning posters will be selected from each of the three counties in the following categories: kindergarten, grades 1 and 2, grades 3 and 4, and grade 5. The twelve winners will be recognized at the annual Statewide Arbor Day Celebration hosted by Governor Carney! A tree planting ceremony will also be scheduled at each winner’s school to celebrate Arbor Day.

The poster contest is designed to increase student knowledge about forests and forest resources. For teachers, the poster contest can be an ideal way for students to learn more about the role of trees in our communities and their direct impact on Delawareans’ health and well-being. The schoolyard is a perfect setting to incorporate the role of trees into your everyday curriculum. Trees not only provide beauty, shade, and habitat and food for wildlife, they also improve air quality, muffle noise, moderate air temperatures, filter runoff into streams and rivers, and reduce energy consumption.

2019 Theme

“Trees Are Terrific…in Many Wonderful Ways!”

Criteria

Posters will be judged on originality, use of theme, neatness, and artistic expression.

Classroom Resources

Teachers can access the shared google folder for the 2020 Poster Guidelines and Rules, Curriculum Guide and additional resources.

Free Seedlings

All participating classes receive free loblolly pine seedlings delivered to their schools, just in time to celebrate Arbor Day!

Registration Link:

2020 Arbor Day Poster Contest Registration and Seedling Request

Questions:

Ashley Melvin, Delaware Forest Service – (302) 698-4551

ashley.melvin@delaware.gov

Dates to Remember:

  • Deadline to register and reserve free seedlings: March 9
  • Deadline to submit posters for state contest: April 1
  • Arbor Day in Delaware: April 24
  • Seedling delivery: mid-April

In 2019, the Delaware Forest Service hosted its annual Arbor Day Ceremony at Dover’s Schutte Park, honoring its school poster contest winners and recognizing Dover’s 30th Year as the First State’s longest-running Tree City USA. The event culminated with the planting of more than 30 large trees at six locations, including a zelkova on the historic Green on State Street. Delaware State University also held its Arbor Day event and celebrated its 8th consecutive year as Delaware’s only certified Tree Campus USA, followed by a ceremonial tree planting on campus.

Check out more from the 2019 Arbor Day  photos on Flickr or at the Delaware Forest Service Facebook Page

Each poster contest winner received a tree-themed book and a print reproduction of their poster on fine art canvas. Thanks to corporate sponsor Delmarva Power, a free tree planting ceremony will also be held at each winner’s school. In addition, every participating classroom receives free pine seedlings for all participants. Once again this year, students from the Middletown High School FFA Chapter and senior volunteers from the Modern Maturity Center in Dover are wrapping thousands of seedlings to distribute to schoolchildren statewide. Check out the previous year’s winners:

For more information, email: Ashley Melvin

Arbor Day observances are also an integral part of community recognition programs such as Tree Campus USA, Tree City USA, and Delaware’s Tree Friendly Community Award, as well as qualifying for a financial award from the Urban Grant Program.

Past Delaware Arbor Day celebrations: