The West Virginia Division of Forestry recently announced the winners of the 2020 Arbor Day poster contest for fourth and fifth grade students.

The winners are Lauren Pleska, fourth grade, Sacred Heart Grade School in Charleston, Kanawha County; and Aimee Baker, fifth grade, home-schooled in Union, Monroe County.

Schools in West Virginia were able to submit one entry from the fourth grade and one from the fifth grade.

The theme chosen for the year must have been incorporated into the poster. This year’s theme “Trees are Terrific  – in the Right Place” draws attention to the hazards of growing a tree in a space that is wrong for it, such as under power lines.

“The contest gives students a chance to showcase their artistic talents and to learn about the vital role trees play in our world,” said Partnership Coordinator Andy Sheetz. “Trees are an important renewable resource. Events such as the poster contest help us realize how versatile and useful trees are for wildlife and for us.”

The contest is presented by the West Virginia Division of Forestry (WV DOF), the Urban & Community Forestry Council and the West Virginia Forestry Association.

The West Virginia Division of Forestry celebrates April as Arbor Month to encourage communities to use the entire spring planting season to conduct tree plantings.

National Arbor Day takes place Apr. 24, 2020. Arbor Day has taken place each year since 1872 to celebrate the importance of trees and to encourage tree planting.