Local students win regional poster contest

MISSOULA – Creative slogans and colorful artwork illustrated the importance of wildfire prevention in the 61st annual Keep Montana Green art contest. This year, Swan Valley School third grader Molly Williams and Seeley Lake Elementary kindergartener Hale Devins placed first and second in the primary school division for the southwestern Montana region.

"The Southwestern Land Office received over 150 submissions from 18 different schools, each one demonstrating just how creative and artistic Montana youth are, especially as it relates to depicting wildfire prevention," said Kristin Mortenson, Community Preparedness and Fire Prevention Specialist for the Southwestern Land Office (SWLO) of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC). "We are excited that we had a good turnout for this year's contest and hope to continue to see an increasing number of schools participate in the future."

Each year, the DNRC and the Keep Montana Green Association (KMG) ask kindergarten through 12th grade students and teachers across the state to participate in the art contest. KMG provides educators with a curriculum for teaching students about wildfire safety, prevention and conservation. This year's theme was "Do Your Part."

Williams' poster promoted the message "Don't play with fire" showing what happens to a healthy forest when consumed by fire.

"Molly's piece was creative and had a clear and timeless fire prevention message, Don't Play With Fire!" Mortenson wrote in an email.

Devins' poster showed smokejumpers parachuting into a fire with a helicopter circling above. Devins was the helicopter pilot with the message "Protect Montana." Devins loves to paint and draw and was excited that his artwork was chosen for second place.

"Hale's artwork was very creative and colorful and also had a clear message to protect Montana from wildfire," Mortenson wrote.

Mortenson continued, "Both pieces highlight how important it is for each of us to do our part to prevent unnecessary wildfire starts!" 

With a mission of promoting public awareness of the danger of human caused wildfires on Montana's ecosystems, communities and natural resources, Keep Montana Green has sponsored 61 poster contests involving Montana students since 1961.

"Using art to engage Montana's next generation is an integral part of our fire prevention program," said Julia Berkey, Keep Montana Green Association Executive Director. "Every year, the unique and impressive artwork demonstrates how deeply students feel about our timber, rangelands, wildlife and communities while stressing the importance of preventing human-caused wildfires."

Regional entries to the SWLO in Missoula are awarded first, second, third, and honorable mention placings. Winning entries are then submitted to the state-level contest where winners receive cash prizes and statewide recognition. 

For more information on Keep Montana Green and the annual art contest, please visit https://www.keepmontanagreen.com/. The full list of regional and statewide winners will be posted soon.