‘Back to Nature’ the theme for 2012 Green Matters Essay Contest
Fredericton (January 23) – The 5th Annual Green Matters Essay Contest was launched at this evening’s City Council meeting. The 2012 edition of the contest invites Fredericton students Kindergarten to Grade 12 to discuss why protecting nature is important to them, and what we can do to celebrate nature.
Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods and The Nature Principle, and co-founder of the Children & Nature Network said, “The future will belong to the nature-smart—those individuals, families, businesses, and political leaders who develop a deeper understanding of the transformative power of the natural world and who balance the virtual with the real. The more high-tech we become, the more nature we need.”
The question we are asking students this year is why is nature important? How can we get back to celebrating our beautiful environment, and spending more time exploring it?
“We are so blessed here in Fredericton to have reminders of nature all around us”, said Councillor Eric Megarity, Chair of the City’s Public Safety and Environment Committee. “We want students to explore their love for nature, and why it’s important to protect the environment, and celebrate its beauty.”
The Essay Contest features four categories: Elementary school (K-2); Elementary school (3-5); Middle school; and, High school. Eligible students must currently attend schools in Districts 1 and 18.
There is one main prize in each of the elementary categories ($150), and two prizes in each of the middle ($250 for first and $100 for second) and high school ($500 for first and $150 for second) categories There is also one prize for creativity in each category ($50 for Elementary and Middle Schools, $100 for High School), which will be awarded based on the judges’ discretion. A collection of environment-themed books and other educational materials will be presented to the school that provides the most submissions, as a percentage of their school population.
Submissions will be accepted in both official languages. Elementary (K-2) students limit written submissions to 150 words. Elementary (3-5) have a limit of 250 words while Middle School entries should be no more than 750 words. High School entries can be up to 1,000 words.
All written entries, except in the Elementary K-2 and 3-5 categories, must be typed, and double-spaced. Entries in the K-2 and 3-5 categories can either be typed or printed/written legibly.
Entries must be received by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 9, 2012. All submissions must include the student’s name, school, teacher’s name, and teacher’s email address. Email submissions are preferred and can be sent to greenmatters@fredericton.ca and must be sent as file attachments in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format. Submissions may also be mailed to Green Matters, PO Box 130, 397 Queen Street, Fredericton, NB, E3B 4Y7 or hand delivered to Fredericton City Hall at the Green Matters address.
Entries will be judged for quality by a panel of three independent judges. Winners will be announced at a date and time yet to be determined. For more on the Green Matters Essay Contest visit www.greenmattersfredericton.com or phone 460-2777.
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Media Contact: Alycia Morehouse, Climate Change Coordinator, City of Fredericton, 506-460-2777.
