About the WI Land & Water Poster & Speaking Contest

Columbia County Land and Water Conservation Department promotes youth education in Wisconsin by hosting an annual Conservation Awareness Poster Contest and Speaking Contest. Both contests are open to all Columbia County students private, public and homeschool. 

🎨2026 Conservation Awareness Poster Contest

• Theme: “Soil. Where it all Begins.” (must be included on each poster)
• Poster Contest: Wednesday, January 21, 2026
• Deadline to Register: 12pm on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, Submission Options: Drop off, mail, or schedule a classroom pickup
• Divisions: Grades K–1, Grades 2–3, Grades 4–6, Grades 7–9, Grades 10–12
• Poster Size: 14”x22” OR 12”x18”
• Prizes: Awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in each division
• Inclusive Conservation Awareness Poster Contest: This contest is for students in Columbia County who need extra help completing their poster. Divisions: Grades K–4, Grades 5-8, Grades 9-12. Awards will be given to the top 3 posters in each division.

🗣️ 2026 Conservation Speaking Contest

• Speaking Contest: Wednesday, January 21, 2026
  • Registration at 5:45pm
  • Contest begins at 6:00pm
  • Location: Columbia County Administrative Building, Portage
• Deadline to Register: 12pm on Wednesday, January 14, 2026
• Divisions: Grades 5–6, Grades 7–8, Grades 9–12
• Topic: Speeches must promote the conservation of natural resources and the protection or enhancement of environmental quality. Topics should address soil and water conservation issues. Emphasis should be placed on the subject as it relates to your locality or to the state of Wisconsin.
• Prizes: Awarded to top speakers in each division
• Judging Criteria: If you have students interested in participating and would like to see a judging criteria sheet please reach out directly to Briana.Enger@ColumbiaCountyWi.gov or Kelly.Maginnis@ColumbiaCounty.gov.

🏆 Advancement Opportunities

• Columbia County winners of the Poster and Speaking Contest will advance to the Southern Area Regional Contest held January 28, 2026.
• Southern Area Regional Contest winners (Poster and Speaking Contest) move on to the State Contest at the WI Land & Water Association’s Conference at Chula Vista in the Wisconsin Dells on March 4, 2026
• Winners of the State Poster Contest will move on to the National Association of Conservation Districts NACD Poster Contest in December of 2027

📬 Important Notes

• Parent/guardian signature is required for all entries. If a teacher signs on behalf of a student, a parent signature will be needed to advance to regionals.
• Please tape the registration form to the back of each poster.
• All contest details, registration forms, and parent/teacher letters are attached.

🌱 This is a wonderful opportunity for students to explore conservation, express their creativity, and build public speaking skills. If you'd like a staff member from our department to visit your classroom or need additional materials, feel free to reach out—we’re happy to help!

Columbia County Students Shine at 2025 State Conservation Awareness Speaking Contest
 

We are thrilled to announce that three exceptional students from Columbia County have secured 1st place in all three divisions at the 2025 State Conservation Awareness Speaking Contest on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 in Green Bay, WI. The event took place during the 72nd Annual WI Land+Water Conference, showcasing the remarkable talents of our youth in promoting environmental stewardship.

The Conservation Speaking Contest, a competition designed to enhance awareness about conserving natural resources and improving environmental quality, focuses on topics relevant to local and Wisconsin-related issues. Students first compete at County and Area levels, with the top performers earning the opportunity to participate in the prestigious State Competition held every March during WI Land+Water's Annual Conference. The first-place winners in each division deliver their impactful speeches to an audience of over 500 attendees during the conference luncheon.

We are proud to recognize the outstanding achievements three students in Columbia County:

Elementary Division (Grades 5-6)
1^st Place: Adalyn Howe, Lodi Middle School
Speech Title: "Together in Wisconsin: Keeping Wisconsin’s Ecosystems Native and Thriving"

Junior Division (Grades 7-8)
1^st Place: Lydia Visger, Poynette Middle School
Speech Title: "Responsible Boating to Protect Our Lakes"

Senior Division (Grades 9-12)
1^st Place: Briella Brusveen, Cambria-Friesland School
Speech Title: "Rooted in Wisdom: The Past Teaches the Future"

2026 Conservation Awareness
Poster & Speaking Contest Donors