MONROE — The Green County Land and Water Conservation Department held its annual conservation poster contest. There were 107 entries in four different age categories. 

Posters were evaluated on the following criteria: conservation message, visual effectiveness, originality, universal appeal, and individual artwork. The theme was, “May the Forest be with you, Always.”

In the K-1st grade category, Wesley Frei from Black Hawk was first.

In the 2nd-3rd grade category, Mariajose Torres was first; Relena Lindert, second; and Cameron Junk, third. All three attend St. Victor School in Monroe.

In the 4th-6th grade category, Aydin Sobacki was first; Samuel Grossmann, second; and Landen Shippy third. All three attend Monroe Middle School.

In the 7th-9th grade category, Madeline Cleveland, home school, was first; Jayde Hawkinson, Monroe Middle School;second, and Elise Rear, Brodhead Middle School, third. 

The top poster in each category moved on to the 11-county Southern Area competition. Aydin Sobacki and Madeline Cleveland each got third place in their division.