There’s a new squad in town – the “Steward Squad.”  Its mission is to protect and conserve  Mojave Desert’s  environment!

As more people begin to live and play in the High Desert ‘s communities, the “Steward Squad” is beginning to see the effects on the land, air and habitats of unique desert species.  More people means more cars on our roads and more pollution.  Campers will sometimes leave behind their trash after a weekend of fun and as our communities grow,  we begin to move into the community of our desert animals such as coyotes and tortoises.

The Steward Squad is looking for members like you to help them combat these effects in your community! Share with them in 1,000 words or less the efforts you are taking to protect and conserve the Mojave Desert’s environment. Do you ride your bike or walk more than you take a car?  Does your home run on clean burning, renewable energy? Do you leave nature just like you found it?  What are you doing right here, right now to maintain and improve the environmental quality of our environment?

 There are FIVE prize categories

Kindergarten: Can  you draw a picture with 2-3 sentences about the concept?

      Elementary School (grades 1-2)               Middle School (grades 6-8)

    Elementary School (grades 3-5)               High School (grades 9-12)

  First, second, and third place winners will be awarded in each category.  All awards are gift cards.

First place winners will receive $100, second place $50 and third place will receive $30.  Kindergarten winners will receive a $10 award for all places. 

  CONTEST CRITERIA

• Essays should be no more than 1,000 words in length. Each essay must contain the author’s name, grade, school and contact phone number to be considered.
• Deadline for submission is February 17, 2017 at 4:00 PM.
• Winners will be notified by phone and invited to attend an Award Ceremony presentation

on March 8, 2017 at the High Desert Power Project in Victorville.

• Submissions may be mailed or delivered to:

MEEC

14306 Park Ave

Victorville, CA 92392

You may also fax your submissions to (760) 241-6271 or email to smurray@mdaqmd.ca.gov

• All submissions become the property of MEEC and High Desert Power Project

For further information, please call Samantha Murray, at: (760) 245-1661 ext. 6717