Union County, NJ – In recognition of Arbor Day 2019, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is once again partnering with the Shade Tree Advisory Board to sponsor the 2019 Union County Arbor Day Poetry Contest.
“The Freeholder Board is proud of our teachers and students who participate in Arbor Day, a national celebration of stewardship,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “Trees are a key resource in our densely developed area and we take the preservation of this community asset very seriously. We are pleased to once again support this annual poetry contest as part of Union County’s Green Initiatives for 2019.”
The contest offers students of Union County, currently enrolled in grades 4 through 8, an opportunity to obtain a greater understanding of Arbor Day by allowing them to portray the importance of trees to our natural environment and man-made landscapes, by focusing on the benefits, beauty, and contributions of trees to our communities.
All poems received will be categorized by grade and judged. One winner will be chosen for first, second, and third place at each grade level. The winners will be invited to attend an awards ceremony at the Union County Administration Building in Elizabeth at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 25, 2019. At the ceremony the students will be publicly recognized by Union County and presented with a monetary reward and a certificate.
Schools interested in participating in the contest, should return completed student entry forms and poems no later than March 1, 2019. Any poem received after March 1, 2019 will not be accepted.
“Studies have shown that trees improve property values and provide many other civic benefits,” said Freeholder Andrea Staten. “We are happy to sponsor this opportunity for county students to become involved in environmental efforts while also promoting their creativity.”
Arbor Day has been a national observance since 1872, encouraging the public to plant and care for trees. This year it will be celebrated on Friday, April 26.
For further information regarding this contest please contact Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, Chairman of the Union County Shade Tree Advisory Board, James Nichnadowicz at (908) 654-9854 or email Jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org.
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