The I-90 Wildlife Bridges Coalition and the Washington State Department of Transportation are hosting the fifth annual Bridging Futures contest. Our goal is to educate children around the state about issues surrounding wildlife and our roads (habitat connectivity). The I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East Project will make the roadway safer for people and wildlife.
We would like students to use the information we provided (available on the web) on the issue of habitat connectivity and produce drawings that show how we can work to benefit both animals and people in transportation planning. WSDOT's I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East Project will included two wildlife overpasses and numerous underpasses. We would like to tap into the children’s creativity to help us inform the public.
Who can participate?
Any elementary age Washington state resident.
What are we asking for?
Students should submit a drawing or graphic design on an 8 1/2 by 11 inch piece of paper that depicts how we can make our roadways safer for people and wildlife. They can choose to represent the problem, the solution, or both in their image as we are looking for all ideas. Examples from previous years are available. Along with the picture we are asking for a written description of their drawing or thoughts on the topic up to one page in length.
When is the due date?
All entries must be postmarked no later than April 20, 2009 and sent to:
I-90 Wildlife Bridges Coalition
Attn: Bridging Futures Contest
3600 15th Ave. W #101
Seattle, WA 98119
What resources are available?
The following are included in the contest packet:
- A page of classroom topic suggestions to help plan your lesson
- A flyover video of the I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East Project including a view of a wildlife overpass (to play on DVD players or computers.)
- A PowerPoint presentation that you can use to walk your students through the topic
- A project activity book of Burl the Squirrel to help your classroom discuss the topics of wildlife and roads
You can also request an in-person presentation with one of our staff members affiliated with the contest. These presentations must be made by March 1 to allow your classroom time to produce and submit ads. Reminder, entries must be postmarked by April 20, 2009.
To request any of these resources or ask questions, please contact:
Jen Watkins
I-90 Wildlife Bridges
info@i90wildlifebridges.org
(206) 675-9747 ext 203
or
Amy Danberg
Washington State Department of Transportation
Danbera@wsdot.wa.gov
(206) 962-9635
Who will judge the entries?
The staff and directors of the I-90 Wildlife Bridges Coalition and WSDOT’s I-90 Project Team will sort through the entries to select our finalists. The final decision for a winner will be made by I-90 Wildlife Bridges Coalition Director Charlie Raines and Washington State Secretary of Transportation Paula Hammond. Winners will be announced within several weeks of the contest end date.
What will the finalist win?
There will be two grand prize winners for this contest, one from each side of the Cascades Mountains. We will display their drawing on a billboard to help inform drivers throughout this summer and they will receive a framed copy of their artwork. There will also be school district winners for each participating school district, and all winners will receive a special prize package.