Shira Hollinger, a fifth-grade student at Asa Adams School in Orono, was the Maine state winner of the nationwide 2008 environmental poster contest sponsored by the National Garden Clubs Inc., to challenge children to take an active role in caring for the land by recycling, reusing, reducing waste, planting and caring for trees, and using resources, such as electricity and water, wisely. Posters were submitted by children from all over Maine by their sponsoring garden clubs.

The Brewer Garden and Bird Club sponsored the posters drawn by the children in the Asa Adam’s Junior Plantmasters, a garden club founded two years ago by Orono physician Janet Hawkins. Posters were required to include one of two icons for positive land use – Woodsy Owl or Smokey the Bear – as well as their mottoes.

Hollinger’s poster featured Woodsy Owl and the slogan, “Lend a Hand, Care for the Land.”

Posters were judged by art teachers from around the state on the basis of originality, design, artwork, the slogan and overall effectiveness.