Story Category: Maryland News »

From wistful watercolors to vivacious videos, this year’s Color Maryland Green contestants made it extremely difficult for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to pick the winners. Nine champions were chosen from 120 students grades K-12 who submitted original artwork and poetry inspired by their appreciation for the State’s natural resource.

“I congratulate these young people on their exceptional artwork and poetry,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “This contest provides Maryland children the opportunity to express their appreciation and enthusiasm for our natural world through their creativity, while learning the value of stewardship and conservation.”

The annual Color Maryland Green contest is designed to encourage children to take advantage of the abundant recreational opportunities and natural resources that Maryland has to offer. Each entry was unique in encapsulating the beauty and wonder of the State’s outdoors. The entries included photographs, oil paintings, pencil and charcoal sketches, crayon and marker drawings, poetry and video.

“The entries ran the gamut, from paintings of parks and playgrounds, to photograph of a boy skipping stones in the sunset,” said La Von Boston, the contest’s director. “We are thrilled that so many children took the time to illustrate their connection to nature and share their work.”

DNR staff and school teachers from Tyler Heights Elementary School in Annapolis judged the contest and chose one entry from each age group in art, poetry photography and video. To see the winners visit dnr.state.md.us/education/colormarylandgreen.asp.

The 2012 champions are:

All of the winners will receive a savings bond provided by either Commerce or BB&T banks. Each winner from the best overall art (paintings & drawings), poetry and photo categories will receive a $175 savings bond. The winner for best overall video will be given a $200 savings bond.

For more information and an application to enter the 2013 Color Maryland Green Contest, visit dnr.state.md.us/education/cmg_about.asp.

To ensure all Maryland young people have the opportunity to connect with their natural world and grow to become informed and responsible stewards, Governor O’Malley established the Maryland Partnership for Children in Nature in 2008. Under this initiative, which is now being used as a national model, the Governor created the Maryland Civic Justice Corps, a summer job and environmental education program that employs at risk youth in Maryland State Parks, and recently issued the Maryland Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights.