Billboard contest lets fifth-grade artists speak for forests

Hands-on time in a working forest teaches students important environmental lessons. JayRay helps Green Diamond Resource Company coordinate an annual poster contest based on what the kids learned, turning the winning art into a billboard.

Forest lessons become exercise in advertising
The timber industry has deep roots in Shelton, Wash. Always supporting education and the community, Green Diamond Resource Company co-hosts the Forest Festival Field Day for area fifth graders. Students learn about working in a forest, environmental factors and the human impact of forestry. The field day takes place just before Shelton’s annual Forest Festival in late spring.

When students return to class, teachers ask them to create a poster based on the field day theme. Replanting, fire safety and water resources are past focal points.

More than a hundred posters are reviewed by a judging panel that includes representatives from Green Diamond, the Mason County Conservation District, JayRay and the billboard company. The poster that best carries the message with clear, colorful images is chosen the winner. JayRay turns the poster into art for a billboard.

Pushing the message all summer long
Green Diamond buys one or two billboard spaces for the summer, great timing to promote a forestry theme. JayRay coordinates production and media buying.

The Conservation District displays many of the posters at its Forest Festival booth. The winning art is included but is not disclosed. Visitors can vote for their favorite poster to win the People’s Choice Award.

Winning artists are honored at a ceremony Green Diamond presents for students, parents and teachers. JayRay contributes a framed model of the billboard to the winning artist.

The only thing brighter than the billboard is the smile on the student’s face.

Advertising