2026 Conservation Poster Contest | Last Day To Register!

Each spring, Cuyahoga SWCD, in association with the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD), sponsors a county-wide Conservation Poster Contest for students in grades K-12. Each year the National Association selects a new stewardship week theme and students can participate by creating an original poster.

Winners at the county-level will be selected from the following grade bands: K-1, 2-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12.

2026 NACD Poster Contest Theme

For 2026 the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Stewardship Week and Poster Contest theme is, “Soil. Where it all Begins”.

Free education materials are available from NACD here and Cuyahoga SWCD educators also facilitate a classroom program for students in grades K-5 to get them started with designing their posters.

How can my class/youth group participate?

This contest is free to participate in and is open to classroom teachers and youth program leaders such as Scouts.

Official contest rules and evaluation criteria are attached here and see below for official contest dates:

• Monday, 1/5- 2026 Poster Contest opens
• Monday, 3/30- Class/Youth Group registration is due by 6pm
• Thursday, 4/30- Poster submissions due by 6pm
• Tuesday, 5/5- Contest winners and teachers will be notified

Resources:

Poster Contest Instructions 2026

Contest Entry Form

If you have any questions, please contact Callie Sommers at [email protected].

Registration Note: Each teacher or group leader must register separately and provide direct contact information so we can contact you if your student wins. First and second place district winners from each grade band will be forwarded to the state competition in the summer.