Dalton Elementary students earn awards for Smokey Bear Poster Contest

Two Dalton Dragons ended their school year with recognition from Smokey Bear and friends.

Fifth grader Faith Schultz and fourth grader Claire Facciano, both from Dalton Elementary School, were first-place winners in Idaho and second-place winners in the Pacific Region for the National Garden Clubs, Inc. Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl Poster Contest.

Jenna Nipp with the Forest Service and Smokey Bear presented certificates and drawing kits to the poster artists at the Dalton awards ceremony Friday morning. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service and the National Garden Clubs, Inc., gave students the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of wildfire prevention and basic environmental conservation principles through original drawings of Smokey Bear.

The 2024 Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl poster contest was dedicated to Smokey Bear’s 80th Birthday. According to the U.S. Forest Service, the contest began as an initiative of the New Mexico State Garden Club in 1959. In 1960, the National Council of State Garden Clubs, which is now National Garden Clubs, Inc., decided to replicate the contest and called it the National Smokey Bear Coloring Contest. Winners of the first contest were announced at the National Council of State Garden Club’s 1961 convention by Mrs. N.P. Marton, junior gardening chairman, and Miss Elizabeth Mason of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. 

Smokey Bear is recognized nationally and internationally as the symbol for wildfire prevention. The original Smokey Bear appeared in 1944. Woodsy Owl teamed up with Smokey Bear in 1977 to help encourage personal responsibility in caring for our environment. Woodsy Owl's motto is, “Lend a Hand, Care for the Land." 

Smokey’s message, “Only you can prevent wildfires!” encourages personal responsibility for wildfire prevention. Smokey Bear teaches children and adults to be careful with campfires, barbecues, burning yard waste, matches and lighters. 

    Dalton Elementary fourth grader Claire Facciano's winning poster art for the National Garden Clubs, Inc. Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl Poster Contest.
  

    Dalton Elementary fifth grader Faith Schultz's winning poster art for the National Garden Clubs, Inc. Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl Poster Contest.