We invite students to participate in an essay contest in honor of the 51st annual Earth Day on April 22nd.  The theme for the Earth Day Essay Contest is Restoring the Earth.   There are three categories: high school, middle school, and elementary school.  High School entries must be no longer than 650 words.  Middle School entries must be no longer than 500 words.  Elementary School entries must include a minimum of 10 sentences and accompanying illustrations are also encouraged.  The contest winner from each of the categories will receive a $50 cash prize. 

This year's theme rejects the idea that our only option to save the planet is to adapt to environmental damage and climate change.  Scientists, businesses, and governments worldwide now are looking at ways to restore the world’s ecosystems and forests, restore wildlife populations, rid the world’s oceans of plastics, and more.  Students are asked to write creatively on ways they will be proactive this year to help with the climate crisis and restore the damage that humans have created.

The deadline for entries is on Earth Day, April 22. Winners will be announced in mid-May and prizes awarded at the Preserve & Park’s Annual Wildlife Festival on Sunday, June 6. 

Submissions may be mailed to Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park at 80 Scout Road Gansevoort, NY 12831 or emailed to info@wiltonpreserve.org by the deadline.   Please include the student’s name, grade level, teacher’s name, and school that they attend.  Also include the address, email, and phone contact information with the submission. For more information, please call the Preserve & Park office at 518-450-0321 or via email at info@wiltonpreserve.org.