2026 Conservation Poster Contest

The Stewardship and Education Committee has developed a five-year rotation for stewardship topics – water, soil, habitat, forestry, and a topic of interest – and determines the theme each year. Submissions from participating district-level competitions for the 2026 Poster Contest – “Soil. Where It All Begins” – will begin March 1, 2026, through December 1, 2026, for the national competition. Winners will be announced during NACD’s Annual Meeting in 2027. The annual NACD and NACD Auxiliary Poster Contest provides students from kindergarten through 12th grade the chance to have their art displayed as part of a national conservation outreach initiative. Each year, the winning posters highlight the work of conservation districts and their state conservation associations, auxiliaries, and agencies in protecting and enhancing natural resources. The contest starts at the district level; winners advance to the state level, and then to the national level, where they receive recognition at NACD’s annual meeting. The poster contest is open to public, private, and home-schooled students. The top three posters in each category of the national contest will receive monetary prizes. First-place winners will receive $200; second-place winners will receive $150, and third-place winners will receive $100. For all those who entered, local sponsors may offer each a special Participation Certificate in recognition of their participation. The NACD Auxiliary – through their quilt project proceeds, the Country Store at the NACD Annual Meeting, and individual donors – sponsor prizes at the national level. Questions? Please contact stewardship@nacdnet.org. Contact for Iowa SWCDs is Regan Davis, at regan@cdiowa.org.

For more information on the national contest, please visit the NACD Poster and Photo Contest Page here: https://www.nacdnet.org/contests/

For more information on the Iowa local-to-state poster contest, please visit the resources below:

2026-Poster-Contest-Rule  <— Click here for the Iowa local-to-state poster contest submission deadlines *UPDATED 2/23/2026*.

2026 Poster Contest Entry Form

2025 CDI Poster Contest Winners

Theme:  “Home is Where the Habitat Is”

Palo Alto SWCD (K-1st) Frances Hauswirth

Davis SWCD (2nd-3rd) Preslee Henderson

Ringgold SWCD (4th-6th) Elizabeth Gunsolley

Clay SWCD (7th-9th) Sophia Doty

Sioux SWCD (10th-12th) Amanda King