FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 20, 2018

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us

DEP Announces Leon County 
Earth Day Poster Contest Winners

~Posters represent the importance of protecting Florida’s beautiful natural environment~

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – In celebration of Earth Day, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Northwest District invited Leon County fourth- through eighth-grade students to creatively illustrate the importance of safeguarding Florida’s natural resources and enhancing its ecosystems.

“I am proud to announce winners of the 2018 Earth Day Poster Contest for Leon County," said DEP’s Northwest District Director Shawn Hamilton. “These artists did a fantastic job of capturing so many ways we can protect our environment. It is reassuring to see that Florida’s students are learning so much about protecting our environment. We were excited to see over 100 poster submissions come in for the contest.”

Congratulations to the winners:
Elementary School
  First Place (tie) – Darla Sainsbury
  First Place (tie) – Raymond Jonas
  Second Place – Kelsey Mills

Middle School
  First Place – Kendall Bodner (Kendall also won first place last year for 
  middle-school students in Leon County!)
  Second Place – Sarah Hunt
  Third Place – Gemma Garcia

The posters were judged on how well they portrayed an Earth Day message, artistic merit, originality and neatness. The winning posters can be viewed on the department’s Facebook page. 

This is the fourth year the DEP Northwest District has organized the Earth Day Poster Contest for students in Santa Rosa, Escambia, Bay and Leon counties.

About the Department of Environmental Protection's Northwest District

The Northwest District, headquartered in Pensacola with branch offices in Tallahassee and Panama City, provides environmental permitting assistance, emergency response and environmental education outreach in 16 counties in the Florida panhandle. Famous for its stunning sugar-white beaches and beautiful emerald waters, Florida’s panhandle attracts visitors from all over the world. The region is home to many freshwater and saltwater fishing spots as well as the source of the famed Apalachicola Bay oysters. Northwest Florida’s diverse landscape is also filled with natural springs, unique hardwood forests and fresh water rivers, making it truly a place of beauty. The district is committed to DEP’s vision of strong community partnerships, safeguarding natural resources, and enhancing ecosystems. For more information visit http://www.dep.state.fl.us/northwest/.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLDEP/bulletins/1eacb85