Kids' Clean Water Calendar Contest
For the past 22 years, the WRC has held an annual calendar contest open to fourth and fifth grade students within Oakland County. This program is a great way to educate our youth about how they can help to promote conservation and prevent pollution of our freshwater resources.
View the 2027 Contest Rules and Entry Form.
For more information, please contact Jacy Garrison at 248-858-5264 or email calendarcontest@oaklandcountymi.gov.
Timeline
- Entries Accepted: September 1, 2026
- Entries Close: October 9, 2026
- Panel Judging: October 29 - October 30, 2026
- Winners Announced: by November 13, 2026
- Printed Calendar: Available by mid-December
Prizes
- Fun swag featuring winner's artwork (for the 12 monthly winners only)
- Drawing supplies (for the 12 monthly winners only)
- Prizes for the 12 monthly winners is over a $200 value!
- A virtual exhibition of winning entries on oaklandcountymi.gov/calendarcontest
- Artwork featured in the 2027 Kids' Clean Water Calendar
- Award Ceremony and Luncheon to honor the 12 monthly winners held in December at the Cranbrook Institute of Science!
How It Works
The contest is open to 4th and 5th graders who attend any public, private, charter or homeschool in Oakland County, Michigan.
Artwork Theme: We Can All Help to Keep Oakland County's Lakes, Rivers, Streams and Watersheds Clean!
Entries should promote how to protect our lakes, streams, rivers and watersheds from pollution and how to conserve water.
Find inspiration by visiting:
- WRC's Five Simple Steps to Clean Water Website and Storymap
- WRC's "Waterfront Wisdom" Publication
- WRC Presentation of the Enviroscape Watershed Model - Learn about the water cycle, freshwater availability, watersheds and see how pollution can impact our waterways in a live demonstration.
- Oakland County's 24-Hour Pollution Hotline information
- SEMCOG's "One Water" Educational Materials
- Oakland County's Household Hazardous Waste Recycling Programs
- Oakland County's "Operation Medicine Cabinet" Drug Takeback Program
- Oakland County CISMA - Resources on Invasives Species Prevention and Management
- Great Lakes Learning - Resources for Remote Teaching from Great Lakes Now
View the artwork from the 2026 calendar.
Artwork Requirements
- Use plain, white, letter-sized paper, landscape format (11 inches wide by 8 1/2 inches tall)
- Bold colors and lines show up best; art may be composed of crayons, markers, ink, watercolors, paint, etc.
- Students must work on drawings individually
- Do not mount, frame, fold or roll drawings
- Artwork becomes the property of the Water Resources Commissioner's Office and will not be returned
Mail or hand deliver entries by October 9, 2026 to:
Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner's Office
Attn: Calendar Contest
One Public Works Drive, Bldg 95W
Waterford, MI 48328
One entry per student.
Entries will be judged by water resource professionals on effectiveness of message, creativity, educational aspects and uniqueness.