<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614982245021.jpeg" alt="Winning 2020 poster by 5th grader Delia Dixon of Hays (Image courtesy KSU Watersheds)&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Winning 2020 poster by 5th grader Delia Dixon of Hays (Image courtesy KSU Watersheds)&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>News releaseIt is time for the annual KSU Watersheds and city of Hays Water Poster Contest. The 2021 theme is “Let’s Talk Water.”Daycares, pre-schools, USD 489, Holy Family Elementary, TMP Marian and home-school students, students at Fort Hays State University and NCK Tech, and adults in the city of Hays are eligible to participate.&nbsp;The “Let’s Talk Water” posters can focus on water conservation or stormwater/water quality messages. Posters could show how to reduce water usage indoors, outdoors, and/or at home and work. Also, posters might share how to reduce sediment, nutrients, and E.coli bacteria, household chemicals, etc. that are harmful to water sources. Both water conservation and stormwater/water quality can be highlighted on the same poster.&nbsp;Posters must be horizontal, designed on 12 x 18-inch white poster paper with “Let’s Talk Water” included. Posters can be designed with pencil, paints, pens, crayons, or markers. In addition, the posters can be 3-dimensional, or compute-generated. Name, age, and teacher need to be included on the back of the poster.&nbsp;Poster paper is available for pick-up at Public Works Department, 1002 Vine Street, during regular business hours.&nbsp;Prize money will be awarded to 1st-3rd place winners in each age division.&nbsp;Winning posters will be displayed at TriCentral Office, 1101 Main, supply during the month of May and also at the Ellis County Fair.&nbsp;Posters are due by Thursday, March 18, 2021 at school offices, city hall, or the Public Works Department.&nbsp;To learn more about water conservation and stormwater/water quality for poster ideas, visit <a href="https://www.haysusa.com/776/Water-Poster-Contest">www.watersmarthays.com</a> or <a href="https://www.kcare.k-state.edu/wrip/wraps/big-creek-and-middle-smoky-hill-watersheds/special_events.html">www.MyKansasWatershed.com</a> (special events tab).&nbsp;For questions, call Stacie Minson, KSU Watershed Specialist,
785-769-3297 or Holly Dickman, city of Hays Water Conservation Specialist,
785-628-7350.

Annual water poster contest open to Hays students, residents