The 2026 Maryland Fifth Grade Arbor Day Poster Contest opened for submissions, inviting public school and home-schooled fifth graders across the state to create original artwork. The contest, organized by the Maryland Forest Service under the Department of Natural Resources, carries the official theme “Trees are terrific … and color our world!” Entries must illustrate how trees enrich lives through clean air, wildlife habitat, beauty, and inspiration.
Submissions are due by noon on April 1, 2026, and must be delivered in person to a local Maryland Forest Service office. Posters will first undergo judging at the county level. Advancing entries then compete statewide before the Maryland Urban and Community Forest Committee. A panel including Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz and other DNR staff will select the top three winners.
Prizes focus on environmental benefits and recognition. The first-place winner receives 15 trees planted at their school, second place receives 10 trees, and third place receives five trees. School plantings will be scheduled for spring 2026 following winner notification to teachers. Each of the top three winners also receives a Smokey Bear gift pack.
The contest promotes awareness of trees’ roles in ecosystems and communities, particularly in Southern Maryland counties such as Calvert, St. Mary’s, and Charles, where urban and rural forests contribute to water quality, habitat preservation, and local recreation. By encouraging student participation, the program aligns with broader state efforts to expand tree canopy and educate youth on conservation.
No entry fee is required, and artwork must be original with no copyrighted elements. Specific size, medium, and design guidelines appear on the official contest webpage maintained by the Maryland Forest Service. Complete details, including office locations for submission and additional rules, are posted there for parents, teachers, and students.
This annual contest has engaged Maryland students for years, fostering environmental stewardship and artistic expression tied to Arbor Day observances. In Southern Maryland, where forested areas support agriculture, wildlife corridors, and coastal resilience, such initiatives reinforce regional priorities for sustainable land use and education.
