Dec. 6, 2008
Art contest to Raise Air Quality Awareness
Special to Huntingtonnews.net
Charleston, WV (HNN) – Kanawha County students will have an opportunity to use their artistic talents to remind drivers that vehicle idling can be harmful to their health, wastes money and impacts the environment.
The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection is sponsoring an “Idle-Free Zone” art contest, which is open to all K-12 students in Kanawha County. Thirteen drawings will be chosen to be placed in the 2009-2010 school-year calendar. The calendars will be distributed at the beginning of the school year to all Kanawha County schools that participate.
Each entrant must create original artwork which depicts various aspects of the air quality message, which is “You’re the key to being idle-free.”
“We are pleased to be able to engage young people in helping to promote a cleaner environment for future generations,” said John Benedict, Director of the Division of Air Quality.
An idling vehicle gets the worst gas mileage possible -- 0 miles per gallon. Not idling a vehicle is a quick and easy way to save money at the pump.
Over the past 18 months, DEP has been working with the State Board of Education to reduce school bus idling and create idle-free zones at all West Virginia schools. Vehicle exhaust emissions are a major source of air pollution, which affects the environment and the health of individuals. The contest is the next step to educate parents, grandparents and other drivers of the importance of turning off their engines if parked for more than 30 seconds.
“With its high student populations, we thought doing the first calendar in Kanawha County would provide us an opportunity to gauge the interest,” Benedict said.
Students whose drawings are selected will receive a $50 gift certificate and their art teachers will receive a $25 gift certificate. The grand prize winner’s drawing will be
placed on the front cover of the calendar, while the other 12 selected drawings will be placed on one of the months.
The contest is open to Kanawha County students between the ages of 5 and 18 years old. Entries must be submitted by March 13, 2009. Information on contest rules may be obtained by visiting the Division of Air Quality’s website, www.wvdep.org/daq, or by contacting Stephanie Hammonds at 304-926-0499, Ext. 1234.
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Art contest to Raise Air Quality Awareness
Special to Huntingtonnews.net
Charleston, WV (HNN) – Kanawha County students will have an opportunity to use their artistic talents to remind drivers that vehicle idling can be harmful to their health, wastes money and impacts the environment.
The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection is sponsoring an “Idle-Free Zone” art contest, which is open to all K-12 students in Kanawha County. Thirteen drawings will be chosen to be placed in the 2009-2010 school-year calendar. The calendars will be distributed at the beginning of the school year to all Kanawha County schools that participate.
Each entrant must create original artwork which depicts various aspects of the air quality message, which is “You’re the key to being idle-free.”
“We are pleased to be able to engage young people in helping to promote a cleaner environment for future generations,” said John Benedict, Director of the Division of Air Quality.
An idling vehicle gets the worst gas mileage possible -- 0 miles per gallon. Not idling a vehicle is a quick and easy way to save money at the pump.
Over the past 18 months, DEP has been working with the State Board of Education to reduce school bus idling and create idle-free zones at all West Virginia schools. Vehicle exhaust emissions are a major source of air pollution, which affects the environment and the health of individuals. The contest is the next step to educate parents, grandparents and other drivers of the importance of turning off their engines if parked for more than 30 seconds.
“With its high student populations, we thought doing the first calendar in Kanawha County would provide us an opportunity to gauge the interest,” Benedict said.
Students whose drawings are selected will receive a $50 gift certificate and their art teachers will receive a $25 gift certificate. The grand prize winner’s drawing will be
placed on the front cover of the calendar, while the other 12 selected drawings will be placed on one of the months.
The contest is open to Kanawha County students between the ages of 5 and 18 years old. Entries must be submitted by March 13, 2009. Information on contest rules may be obtained by visiting the Division of Air Quality’s website, www.wvdep.org/daq, or by contacting Stephanie Hammonds at 304-926-0499, Ext. 1234.
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