WATERFORD, Mich. — Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash announces the 18th Annual Kids’ Clean Water Calendar Contest and is currently accepting artwork entries from fourth and fifth grade students attending Oakland County schools. This year’s calendar theme: “We Can All Help to Keep Oakland County’s Lakes, Rivers, Streams and Watersheds Clean!” encourages area youth to submit drawings which reflect their ideas regarding keeping our waterways and environment clean.

Drawing topics may include the following:

• Storm Drain Art-Draw a design around a storm drain inlet/catch basin to increase public awareness that stormwater flows to waterways without treatment
• Don’t litter and “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”
• Ways to conserve water
• Clean up after your pet/don’t feed ducks and geese to prevent water pollution
• Use native plants in landscaping to protect water quality and provide habitat for wildlife
• Practice good automobile care by fixing oil leaks immediately and taking the car to the car wash or washing it on the grass instead of the driveway
• Proper disposal of household hazardous waste and unused medication
• Proper disposal of “flushable” wipes
• Invasive species management and how to prevent their spread
• When to call the Oakland County 24-Hour Pollution Hotline
• How you use and enjoy clean water (fishing, swimming, etc.)

Only twelve winners will be selected to have their artwork highlighted monthly, but 12 honorable mentions and 24 special acknowledgement selections will also appear in the 2023 calendar. A special awards ceremony courtesy of the Cranbrook Institute of Science in Bloomfield Hills and the Water Resources Commissioner’s Office will be held in December 2022.

Artwork contest requirements are as follows:

• Use plain, white, letter-sized paper, in the landscape format (11 inches wide by 8.5 inches tall)
• Bold colors and lines show up best using crayons, markers, ink, watercolors, poster paint, etc.
• Students must work on drawings individually
• Do not mount, frame, fold or roll drawings
• All artwork becomes the property of the Water Resources Commissioner’s Office and will not be returned.

For more contest information, please contact Jacy Garrison at 248-858-5264 or garrisonj@oakgov.com. Entry forms are available online at www.oakgov.com/calendarcontest or at the Water Resources Commissioner’s Office, located at One Public Works Drive, Bldg. 95 West, in Waterford, Michigan 48328. Entries can be mailed or submitted in person to the office.

For more information, go to waterresourceOC to view information at the Oakland County Water Resources Facebook page or go to www.oakgov.com/water. For media inquiries, call Julia Ruffin at 248- 791-4367.

About the Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner’s Office

The Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner’s Office is dedicated to protecting public health and safety, preserving natural resources and a healthy environment, maintaining reliable, high-quality service, ensuring the value of investment, and contributing to economic prosperity. We set goals that encourage efforts to meet or exceed local, state and federal water quality standards, environmental regulations and safety requirements within our control. To learn more about us, visit www.oakgov.com/water.