On May 17, 19 and 21, 200 students from four local schools applied knowledge acquired in classrooms about watersheds, habitat and wildlife to field studies at Owen Sowerwine Natural Area (OSNA). 

In a project titled “Finding the Flathead:  Discovering and Conserving the Watershed in Your Backyard,” habitat restoration, conservation education and peer mentoring were united.  Students from Fair Mont Egan, Kalispell Montessori, Kalispell Middle School and the Flathead High School Orion Program learned about habitat enhancement and restoration at OSNA after completing classroom local watershed studies.  While at OSNA Orion students mentored, instructed and assisted the younger students as they worked in pairs through three stations:  Bird identification, Weeds and Nature Journaling.

Owen Sowerwine is managed by Montana Audubon and Flathead Audubon.  It is Montana’s first and only designated Natural Area and also a Montana Important Bird Area.  It is located about ½ mile east of Kalispell city limits, near local schools and in the Flathead Watershed.

Flathead Audubon’s Conservation Educator Nancy Zapotocki designed the project with the goal to increase watershed knowledge and stewardship of the local environment, as well as to inspire personal discovery and growth.  She designed the project after being awarded a TogetherGreen Fellowship and funding for Watershed Education and Youth Peer Mentoring. Partners included Northwest Montana Educational Cooperative and Flathead Conservation District. The project included funding for a teacher workshop, bus transportation, substitute teachers, curriculum materials, field supplies, t-shirts and certificates. For information on the watershed unit and field activities, please contact Nancy at Flathead Audubon.

TogetherGreen is a National Audubon program funded by Toyota.  It aims to provide inspiration, leadership and opportunities that inspire people everywhere to take action at home, in their communities and beyond to improve the health of the environment. 

Next meeting: September 9th^th, 4 to 5 PM at Kalispell Library

National Conservation Poster Contest
The 2010 Poster Contest theme is "Conservation Habits = Healthy Habitats

The annual National Conservation Poster Contest provides kindergarten through twelfth grade students an opportunity to convey their thoughts about soil, water and related natural resource issues through art. It also highlights the educational outreach efforts of conservation districts and Montana Association of Conservation Districts. Each year, the poster contest starts at the district level. Individuals and teachers with questions regarding district contests should contact Patti Mason at 752-4220 or fcd3@centurytel.net.

District winners then advance to the state level. Finally, state winners advance to the National Contest. National Winners are recognized each year at the NACD Annual Meeting. 2010

CONTEST THEME
The National Poster Contest theme “Conservation Habits = Healthy Habitats” is based on the 2010 National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Stewardship theme. Additional information can be found at www.nacdnet.org Stewardship & Education section.

CONTEST RULES
Poster category by grade: K-1; 2-3; 4-6; 7-9; 10-12. The contest is open to public, private or home school students. • Any media may be used to create a flat or two-dimensional effect (paint, crayon, colored pencil, charcoal, stickers, paper or other materials on regular posters – no computer only special category). • Poster size must be between 8.5" x 11" and 22" x 28". • Posters should be packaged so they remain flat when sent for judging • All posters must be created by an individual student rather than a team of students • The 2010 Stewardship title “Conservation Habits = Healthy Habitats” must be on your poster (don’t use an y other title) • Entry form must be filled out and signed by guardian or parent and appear on the back of the poster to be eligible for judging • Although younger students will most likely receive help in planning from parents or teachers, NACD encourages each student to do as much of the work as possible by him/herself. Entries completed by students in their handwriting and coloring will score better than those designed, drawn and colored by adult assistance.

POSTER EVALUATIONS
The posters are evaluated on the following criteria: • Conservation message—50 percent • Visual effectiveness—30 percent • Originality—10 percent and • Universal appeal—10 percent • Also taken into consideration is artwork completed on poster is that of participant PRIZES Prizes will be awarded by the NACD Auxiliary in each of the five grade divisions: first place—$100 and second place—$75. Depending on the sponsoring state association, auxiliary or agency's preference, the national awards will be presented at a national, regional, state and/or local conservation ceremony. The winning posters will be featured at the 2011 NACD Annual Meeting

SPONSORS
The program is sponsored by the National Association of Conservation Districts and the NACD Auxiliary. NACD, founded in 1946, is a nonprofit organization representing nearly 3,000 local soil and water conservation districts in the 50 states and U.S. Territories. The primary function of NACD is to promote stewardship by including proper management of our natural resources. The NACD Auxiliary assists NACD with informational and educational outreach efforts. Posters are due at the Flathead Conservation District office before May 1, 2010. Entry form is attached. Contact the Flathead Conservation District for information, 752-4220 or fcd3@centurytel.net.