by Troy Bishopp

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS — The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD), in partnership with the NACD Auxiliary, announced the winners of the 2018 Photo Contest and 2018 Poster Contest during their 73rd Annual Meeting. The Northeast region was well represented in this task to literally highlight the beauty of local conservation on the ground.

“As local leaders, conservation districts know the importance of engaging the next generation in becoming stewards of the land,” NACD Auxiliary President Karen Smart said. “It’s an honor to award those who have captured the beauty and deep significance of our natural resources.”

The National Association of Conservation Districts is the non-profit organization that represents the nation’s 3,000 conservation districts, their state and territory associations, and the 17,000 men and women who serve on their governing boards. For more than 70 years, local conservation districts have worked with cooperating landowners and managers of private working lands to help them plan and apply effective conservation practices.

The photo contest, open to amateur photographers in both youth and adult divisions, consists of images reflecting the themes of “Agriculture and Conservation across America,” “Close-Up Conservation,” “Conservation in Action” and “Conservation Practices. The 2018 Photo Contest Northeast region winners are: Wayne Butler, Robert Diller, Callie Burnett, Troy Bishopp, Lainey Wriggins, Mackenzie Brandt and Rithanya Saravanan.

The 2018 Poster Contest, open to current students from kindergarten through 12th grade, celebrated the 2018 NACD stewardship theme of “Watersheds: Our Water, Our Home.”

“Watersheds are integral to our communities,” Smart said. “Celebrating our watersheds, and our understanding of how to improve the health of watersheds, is crucial to creating informed landowners.”

The 2018 Poster Contest Northeast region winners are: Aaliyah Basile, and Sarah Kim

To view the winning entries visit: www.nacdnet.org.