At first glance, the Mojave Desert may appear to be without animal life. However, it is home to many reptiles, insects, birds, and small mammals!  Animals that make their home in the desert have had to adapt in order to survive the bitter cold, searing heat and limited water supply. Fortunately, many of these animals have  developed both behavioral and structural mechanisms to endure in the often extreme and  harsh desert environment.  Among the thousands of desert  species, you will find as many remarkable adaptations helping them survive.

If you were a desert animal, how would you survive?  What would you eat?  Where would you live? Would you spend your days basking in the sun or nights soaking up moonlight? In 1000 words or less, tell us what animal adaptations you would use, and why these adaptations would help you survive living in the Mojave Desert.

There are FIVE prize categories

Kindergarten: Draw a picture with 2-3 sentences about surviving in the desert.

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 will be gift cards.

First place winners will receive $50, second place $25 and third place will receive $15.  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 March 2, 2018 at 4:00 PM.
• Winners will be notified by phone and invited to attend an Award Ceremony presentation

on March 20,  2018 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 contact Samantha Murray, at: (760) 245-1661 ext. 6717

HDPP Adaptations Essay Contest