WASHINGTON, DC—Every year since 1959, the National Garden Clubs has sponsored the Smokey Bear poster contest which gives school kids from grades K thru 5 an opportunity to develop their artistic skills by submitting a poster. In 1971, Woodsy Owl was added to the Smokey Bear poster contest and, since then, this national competition has been called Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl Poster Contest. Unfortunately, due to pandemic safety concerns the 2020 and 2021 events were skipped, but this year’s event was a wonderful triple play for the aspiring young artists.

The three national grand prize winners (2020, 2021 and 2022) and their families attended the Sept. 15 celebration at USDA headquarters in Washington, DC. Due to safety precautions, the audience was limited to no more than 100 attendees. However, lack of numbers did not equate to lack of excitement as the children were honored for their posters.

And the fun side of function was there as well when USDA Forest Service Associate Chief Angela Coleman sang Woodsy’s “Give a Hoot, Don’t Pollute” song from the podium in the USDA Whitten Building’s cavernous patio and encouraged the audience to join her.

Additionally, National Garden Clubs President Mary Warshauer and Corazón Latino founder and CEO Felipe Benitez were recognized for their organization’s efforts to continue partnership activities despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ensuring that wildland conservation remains a top priority from generation to generation requires that children learn early on to “Lend a Hand and Care for the Land.” That tagline from Woodsy Owl, along with Smokey Bear’s “Only You Can Prevent Wildfires,” has resonated for decades with school-aged kids precisely because of activities like the Garden Club’s poster contest.

The poster contest usually coincides with Woodsy Owl’s Sept. 15 birthday festivities. This year, America’s favorite owl turn 51. Congratulations to the winners and happy birthday, Woodsy!