The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s annual State Arbor Day poster contests have begun.

Each year, DEC’s Urban and Community Forestry program offers two artwork contests for New Yorkers – one for all members of the public, and one for fifth-grade students. Both contests aim to promote the value of trees in the environment and New Yorkers’ lives.

Contest winners will have their artwork replicated as either the 2020 New York State 5th Grade Arbor Day Poster or the 2020 New York State Arbor Day Original Artwork Poster. The winning artists will be announced and honored at the annual Arbor Day celebration, held in Albany in April. Last year, New York printed more than 200,000 Arbor Day posters for distribution at schools, libraries, government offices, nursery and landscaping businesses, and environmental organizations throughout the State.

5th Grade Arbor Day Poster Contest

The annual 5th Grade Arbor Day Poster Contest is sponsored by DEC, the Department of Agriculture and Markets (DAM), and the New York State Education Department. Students are asked to create an original poster depicting this year’s contest theme, “Trees Feed New York.”

Lesson plans, vocabulary, and activities for incorporating the theme in New York’s classrooms are available on the poster contest website. The contest is open to all students enrolled in fifth grade. DEC encourages schools to submit classes together. Homeschool students are also welcome to submit artwork. Posters must be submitted to the participant’s local DEC regional office by Dec. 20, 2019, to allow time for judging and printing artwork.

2020 New York State Arbor Day Original Artwork Poster Contest

DEC will accept photograph and artwork submissions for the New York State Arbor Day Original Artwork Poster on behalf of the committee through Dec. 31, 2019. Original entries must feature trees within New York State and should be sent to arborday@dec.ny.gov. Participants must include their name, address, and where the photo was taken with submissions. Model consent forms are required for people in submitted photos. For more information about the contest, visit DEC’s website or email arborday@dec.ny.gov.

The New York State Arbor Day Committee includes DEC, the Empire State Forest Foundation, New York State Arborist Association, DAM, and the International Paper Company.

To obtain past New York State Arbor Day posters, contact any local DEC forestry office or call (518) 402-9428.

Photo of 2019 Arbor Day poster by Paul Bergwall.