The Land Bank is sponsoring a Writing Contest for 10th- through 12th-grade students in San Juan County. The topics are: Preserving what’s important in a changing world, and; Imagine the Islands without land conservation. “We are looking for the best essays about the idea of conservation and its significance to the writer.” It is not necessary for the essay to feature a Land Bank Preserve. Entries can be fiction, nonfiction, drama or poetry.
Essays should demonstrate a sense of connection to the natural world. The essay should be no more than 2,000 words. The deadline is May 23, 2008. Essays can be emailed to sjclandbank@rockisland.com or mailed to The Land Bank, 350 Court Street No. 6, Friday Harbor, WA 98250.
Entries will be judged by a local writer and a Land Bank Commissioner. Winners will be announced at the July Land Bank Commission meeting and honored at a reading and celebration on a Land Bank Preserve. First prize is $250. Second prize is $100.
For more information call the Land Bank office, 378-4402 or visit the Land Bank website, www.co.san-juan.wa.us/land_bank/options.
About the San Juan County Land Bank
In 1990, San Juan County voters approved funding for the San Juan County Land Bank through a one percent real estate transfer tax. This tax is paid by purchasers of property in the County. Land Bank funds are set aside expressly for the purpose of preserving the scenic and natural heritage of the San Juan Islands. Through conservation easements or outright purchases, the Land Bank protects special properties in the County. These may be shorelines, wildlife habitat, woodlands, wetlands, homesteads, or farmland. The Land Bank has protected more than 4,750 acres of important conservation lands throughout the San Juan Islands. Conservation lands open for public enjoyment include the Westside Scenic Corridor and Deadman Bay on San Juan Island; the trio of Preserves bordering Fisherman Bay on Lopez, Weeks Wetland, The Tombolo and The Spit, Crescent Beach Preserve, and Turtleback Mountain on Orcas Island.
