Davidson Soil and Water Conservation District opens sixth-grade ‘We All Live in a Watershed’ contests; outlines rules, deadlines and watershed basics

Andy Miller, representing the Davidson Soil and Water Conservation District, announced two countywide contests for sixth-grade students in Davidson County: an essay contest and a computer-generated slideshow contest, both on the theme “We All Live in a Watershed.” Miller outlined contest rules, scoring criteria, submission deadlines and prizes, and spent the presentation explaining how impervious surfaces affect streams and offering tools and actions communities can use to protect watersheds.

The contest rules require essays of 300 to 500 words that display the exact title "We All Live in a Watershed." Miller said, "If you don't use that exact title, there will be points taken away from your entry." Essay scoring is divided into content (50 points), writing style (20 points), organization (20 points) and neatness (10 points). Infractions include a 0.5-point deduction for essays under 300 or over 500 words, a 5-point deduction for missing or incorrect title, and a 2-point deduction for wrong paper size. Schools will collect essays on December 5; slideshow entries must be submitted electronically by 5 p.m. on December 5 to andy.miller@davidsoncountync.gov. Miller said winners will be announced by Dec. 12.

Slideshow rules limit substantive content to no more than 15 slides, followed by a blank slide and one identification slide (a total of up to 17 slides if using the maximum). Slides must be viewable on a personal computer and PowerPoint files should be compatible with PowerPoint 02/2003. Audio and animations are permitted; embedded video is prohibited and will disqualify an entry. Recorded slideshows with sound must not exceed five minutes. Scoring for slideshows is 50% message, 30% visual effectiveness, 10% universal appeal and 10% originality. Miller said copyright violations carry a 5-point deduction; exceeding the maximum slides or time also carries a 5-point deduction.

Prizes begin at the school level, where each school’s first-place winner receives a trophy. School winners advance to a county contest; county winners receive a plaque and a $25 check and their teacher receives a $25 check. County winners may advance to an area contest that Miller described as covering 11 neighboring counties with anticipated area prizes “in the neighborhood of $25 for first, $15 for second and $10 for third.” The area winners advance to a state contest with first prize of $200 and second prize of $100, Miller said.

Miller used the presentation to teach watershed basics and the effects of impervious cover (surfaces that water cannot penetrate, such as roofs, roads and parking lots). He summarized how impervious cover increases stormwater runoff, raises flood peaks, reduces groundwater recharge and degrades stream channels and habitat. Miller illustrated a progression of stream conditions tied to watershed imperviousness: healthy streams commonly occur where impervious cover is under about 10%; streams show increasing erosion, sediment and habitat loss as impervious cover rises toward 20%–30% and higher; and severely altered channels—such as concrete-lined ditches—offer little habitat value.

Miller identified common pollutants carried by runoff, including sediment (which he said is the single largest pollutant by volume in North Carolina), nutrients from excess fertilizer, motor oil and gasoline, bacteria and heavy metals. He referenced historical mercury contamination at High Rock Lake caused by improper disposal at a former battery factory, and noted that advisories had been posted for fish consumption in past years.

To protect and restore watersheds, Miller described eight tools drawn from the Center for Watershed Protection’s framework: watershed planning, land conservation, aquatic buffers, better site design (to reduce impervious cover), erosion and sediment controls during construction, stormwater best management practices (ponds, wetlands, infiltration areas), attention to other pollution sources (septic systems, sanitary sewers, industrial discharges, confined animal feeding operations) and watershed stewardship through education and volunteer action. He highlighted specific practices such as clustered development to preserve tree cover, rain barrels or other ways to capture rooftop runoff, silt fences and sediment basins on construction sites, and gravel infiltration pits for parking-lot runoff.

Miller closed with a 10-item list of actions individuals and households can take, targeted to students and residents: water only when needed; use fertilizers and pesticides sparingly; plant native vegetation; manage rooftop runoff; pick up pet waste; use car washes or wash cars on lawns; maintain vehicles to prevent leaks; recycle and properly dispose of household chemicals; properly maintain septic systems (pump every three to five years as recommended); and get involved in watershed activities and planning.

The presentation was educational and procedural rather than a decision-making item: there were no motions or formal actions recorded. Miller encouraged teachers and students to enter the contests and to use the contest as a prompt for local watershed involvement. Winners at the county level will be notified after judging the week following the Dec. 5 submission date and the district expects to announce county winners by Dec. 12.