CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia fourth and fifth grade students can showcase their artistic talents by creating posters for the 2021 Arbor Day contest. The poster contest theme is “Trees are Terrific…and Growing.”

The West Virginia 2021 poster contest is presented by the West Virginia Division of Forestry (WVDOF), the Urban & Community Forestry Council and the West Virginia Forestry Association.

Teachers whose classrooms will participate in the contest can utilize a free educational guide from WVDOF. The guide includes in-depth lesson plans, hands-on activities and contest information.

“The guide will teach students about the subject before they create their posters,” said Andy Sheetz, state contest coordinator and WVDOF partnership coordinator. “Through this contest, students have the opportunity to learn how trees grow and develop an appreciation of what trees provide us.”

Each school may submit one entry for fourth grade and one for fifth grade. Entries must be postmarked by May 3, 2021. A state winner will be selected from the fourth grade and fifth grade poster entries.

The educational activity guide, contest rules and other information are available online at wvforestry.com/arbor-day-in-schools. Those interested can also contact Andy Sheetz at andy.i.sheetz@wv.gov or 304-382-9574.

This year, West Virginia Arbor Day is April 9 and National Arbor Day is April 30. Arbor Day has occurred each year since 1872 to celebrate the importance of trees and to encourage tree planting.