For the Tomahawk Leader

LINCOLN COUNTY – Students and educators from Lincoln County schools recently participated in the annual Conservation Contest hosted by the Lincoln County Conservation Program.

The Conservation Contest encourages students to submit posters that illustrate the conservation theme of the year. For 2022, the Conservation Contest theme is “Healthy Soil: Healthy Life.”

“Soil is often the foundation for not only our natural world, but also our modern day society,” a release from the Lincoln County Land Services Department said. “Healthy soil has impacts on growing food sources, maintaining healthy forests, prairies, and other habitats, promoting high water quality, and so much more. Because of this, a student’s creativity could drift in countless ways to display the 2022 theme. And without a doubt, all students that participated provided unique posters that helped promote the importance of conservation.”

The department said the contest is “an excellent opportunity for students to expand their appreciation for the environment, conservation, and become involved with numerous Wisconsin Academic Standards.”

“Educators that have been involved with the contest found this connection to standards helpful, and have enjoyed the opportunity to promote conservation within the classroom,” the department stated.

“As someone that cares about conservation personally, it was great to see that the kids enjoyed this contest at a young age,” said Aubrey Nycz, first grade teacher at Tomahawk Elementary School. “They were able to learn about soil health, and had fun while doing so.”

The Conservation contest has several stages of competitions, and winners from each stage advance to the next. The contest begins at the local level (Lincoln County), which then proceeds to an Area Contest that includes nine counties. State and national contests follow.

“Lincoln County is hoping to see our students’ entries move on to the next levels,” the department said.

In the K-1 category, Shelby Vega earned first place, Iona Oates finished in second, and Emily Lucas finished in third. Each are students are in Ms. Nycz’s first grade class at Tomahawk Elementary.

Pictured, from left to right: Shelby Vega (first place in the K-1 category), Iona Oates (second), and Emily Lucas (third). Photos submitted by Elizabeth Peronto.

Lily Boquist won first place in the grades 2-3 category. Lily is a student in Mr. Klapperich’s second grade class at Kate Goodrich Elementary.

Lily Boquist earned first place in the grades 2-3 category.

Mel Rampart, a senior at Merrill High School, earned first place in the grades 10-12 category. Merrill junior Spencer Smith took second. Both are students in Ms. Wagenaar’s art class.

Mel Rampart earned first place in the grades 10-12 category.

Spencer Smith took second in the grades 10-12 category.

For more information about the Annual Conservation Contest, contact Tom Boisvert, Conservation Program Manager, at 715-539-1054.