NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
July 30, 2009
Vol. 39, No. 322
For further information, contact Joanna Wilson, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902. PHOTOS AVAILABLE.
DNREC honors Conservation Poster Contest winners at Delaware State Fair
Today at the Delaware State Fair, at the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s annual awards ceremony with special guest Governor Jack Markell, young Delawareans were in the spotlight. Winners were honored from three annual DNREC competitions – the Kids for Conservation Poster Contest, the Youth Fishing Tournament and the Young Environmentalist of the Year Awards.
The Kids for Conservation Poster Contest invited Delaware students in grades K through 12 statewide to combine artistic talent with their thoughts on conservation to create posters based on this year’s theme, “Color Your Footprint Green.” Through artwork, a catchy slogan and a short conservation message, posters emphasized how students and their families can take action to reduce their environmental impact on their community and our natural environment.
First place winners honored today were: grades K-1 - first grader Autumn Davis of Lewes, for “Leave a Green Footprint, Leave a Green Earth”; 2-3 – third grader Furkan Kose of Newark, for “Keep the Earth Clean and Very, Very Green; 4-6 – sixth grader Michelle Sanchez of Seaford, for “Save the Earth; and 7-9 - seventh grader James Wilson of New Castle, for “You Don’t Have to Be a Superhero to Leave a Green Footprint – It’s Everyone’s Responsibility!” James also won best in show for his colorful and creative Incredible Hulk-themed work.
The four winners were presented with ribbons, certificates and special “green” prize packages at the ceremony. Second and third place winners, who also will receive prizes, are:
- Second place: K-1 – kindergartener McKenna Breeding of Felton; 2-3 – second grader Leslie Webb of Greenwood; 4-6 – sixth grader Tuyet-kha Thi Nguyen of Georgetown; and 7-9 – eighth grader Elizabeth Biddle of Townsend.
- Third place: K-1 – first grader Yusuf Kose of Newark; 2-3 – second grader Riley Tracy of Wyoming; 4-6 – fourth grader Drew Harris of Harrington; and 7-9 – eighth grader Melanie Litten of Newark.
All 41 contest entries including the winners are on display in the DNREC Building at the Fair from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily through Saturday, Aug. 1. Visitors to the display are encouraged to vote for a “People’s Choice” winner, who will receive a special prize at the end of the Fair.
The Division of Fish and Wildlife held its Annual Youth Fishing Tournament on June 6, drawing a total of nearly 350 young anglers to three sites - Lums Pond in New Castle County, Wyoming Pond in Kent County and Ingrams Pond in Sussex County.
The three county winners were presented with trophies and prizes. Danny Blaasch, 11, of Middletown, was this year’s New Castle County and overall statewide winner with two large carp weighing a total of 12.54 pounds. R.J. Degano, 12, of Magnolia, took top honors in Kent County and second place statewide with 4.04 pounds of fish including a Citation-sized bluegill weighing 1.05 pounds. Julia Ballard, 6, of Millsboro, took home the trophy for Sussex County and third place statewide with 3.8 pounds of fish.
Established in 1986, the annual tournament is designed to introduce youth to the sport of fishing and to teach the catch and release approach to conservation. For more information on the tournament, call 302-739-9913.
Governor Markell also signed a proclamation declaring Saturday, Sept. 26 National Hunting and Fishing Day.
The 2009 Young Environmentalist of the Year Awards were presented to Samuel Piascik, 17, of Dover, high school winner; Matthew Nickle, 14, of Viola, middle school winner; and Yusuf Kose, 7, of Newark, elementary school winner.
Established in 1993 in honor of former DNREC Secretary Dr. Edwin H. Clark II, the Young Environmentalist of the Year Awards are presented annually to Delaware students who have worked to protect, restore or enhance our state’s natural resources through environmental stewardship, innovative projects and promoting public awareness. Nominations for next year’s awards will be accepted in May 2010. For more information on the program, call Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.
More information on the Young Environmentalist Award winners will be released separately.
