Conservation Education – Caring For Our Watersheds

The Hamilton County SWCD has partnered with The Environmental Education Council of Ohio (EECO) and Agrium, Inc. to host the Caring For Our Watersheds (CFW) contest here in Ohio.

CFW is open to 9-12 grade students throughout Hamilton County and asks students to develop a proposal to answer the question, “What can you do to improve your watershed?” Students proposals are reviewed by a panel of judges. The top 10 proposals will then be given a mentor to help develop their ideas better and will present their final proposal to a group of verbal judges. Top 10 winners will all win monetary prizes (from $300 – $1,000)

The Caring for our Watersheds (CFW) program empowers 9th – 12th grade students in Hamilton County to imagine, develop, and create solutions in their local watersheds. CFW is both an environmental proposal contest and a project funding opportunity for high school students. The program promotes watershed awareness and stewardship, values student ideas and offers support when turning theoretical ideas into action.

Students are asked to research their local watershed and come up with a proposal that answers the question, “What can you do to improve your watershed?”
**All finalists are eligible for additional funds to implement proposals**

Students can work independently, or as a team of no more than four to research their local watershed, identify an environmental concern, and come up with a realistic solution. Students are encouraged to discuss ideas with parents, teachers, friends and local experts.

** Proposals should be approximately 1,000 words and include visuals and a budget.
** Entries are scored by a panel of judges in the following areas: innovation, environmental impact, comprehensive scope, communication, budget, realistic solution and visuals.
** Ten finalists/teams will make 5-minute verbal presentations at a final competition in early March 2013.
** All finalists win cash rewards (up to $1000) for themselves and matching rewards for their schools. Schools also receive $100 for every ten complete proposals submitted, even if they do not send students to the finals.

Contest entry deadline – January 18, 2012
Final Competition – March 2, 2013

Please contact Education Specialist Gwen Z. Roth or Education Assistant Niki Marengo for further information.

Gwen’s contact info: gwen.roth@hamilton-co.org ; 513-772-SOIL (7645) x13

Niki’s contact info: niki.marengo@hamilton-co.org ; 513-772-SOIL (7645) x25

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