What better way to usher in springtime than with an Earth
Day essay contest? That’s exactly what we’re doing here at Cascadia. If you’re
in grades 6-8 within Chelan or Douglas County, we think you should tell us
about being a young environmental steward.
Sadly, we haven’t been able to put on the Earth Day essay
contest since 2012. But this year we have sweet prizes from generous local
businesses, an early spring for inspiration and a thought provoking prompt: How can a middle school student be an
effective steward of the environment?
For added inspiration, here’s the winning essay from 2012.
It was written by 7th grader Mariela Morales from Orchard Middle
School. She was answering the question “What have you learned from Nature and
why is what you've learned important?”
What’s damaging nature? Humans. If we say Earth is our
mother, then nature is our sister. Nature teaches us how to survive in her. And
we dig holes and drill out stuff from her insides, then burn them causing
poisons to fill the atmosphere. That pollutes the air preventing the sun from
shining on the fields properly. In nature I learned that you can be free
whenever you like. But more importantly I have learned that our lifestyle
causes a lot of damage.
We have killed off vast amounts of Earth’s ecology, turning what used
to be delicate ecosystems into deserts. So, a question we all should be asking
is: how can we help? Walk or bike instead of driving a car- a good walk is a
conversation between the walker and the environment. A simple walk through
nature can provide hope and inspiration. Plant trees- they absorb carbon
dioxide. It sounds cliché but we must act now before it’s too late.
Nature is not only
enchanting but healing too. Her pleasures may be plain, but are kindly and
she’s native to us. She’s our friend and will provide. Nature is consistent,
she’ll grow even when cut. Those who’ve harmed nature have had their day with
her beauty; now let our children have theirs with her beauty that remains. If
we consider how much we really belong to nature, we shouldn’t care so much for
building cities. Nature helps us when we are sick and instead, we are making
nature sick. Knowing that nature is part of our only home means knowing we have
to take care of her.
Inspired? Often insight is gained through our more simple
and innocent citizens- our children. In that vein, American Rivers created a
most apt video
illustrating a child’s love of rivers.
 |
| Entry Form |
If you or someone you know would like to submit an essay,
here are the particulars:
• The essays should be 500 words or
less, size 12 Times New Roman font, and double-spaced.
• Typed essays are preferred, but
hand written essays will be accepted provided they are legible.
• Word count should be included in
the bottom, right corner of the essay.
• Essays must be turned in with
completed entry form (pictured to the right)
• Sorry,
electronic submissions will not be accepted.
• Essays are due Monday April 13,
2015. Essays postmarked April 14th or later will be disqualified.
• Winners will be announced on our
website on April 22.
• Send or deliver essays to 14 N
Mission St., Wenatchee, WA 98801
If you or someone you know still lacks the inspiration to put
ink to paper and drop some stewardship knowledge, consider our awards for the
top three entries: A day rafting the Wenatchee River with Orion River
Expeditions and a hand painted field journal created by local artist Heather A.
Wallis.
Today’s snowpack as a percent of average is a derisory 53% (USDA/NRCS
National Water and Climate Center, http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov).