By Caitlin Stewart

For the Express

After a morning of deliberation, judges Elizabeth Mangle, Manager of the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District and volunteer Kathy Stewart chose the winners for the 2011 Conservation Field Day fifth grade essay and sixth grade poster contests.

Students from six area schools participated in the 32nd Annual Lynn Galusha Memorial Conservation Field Day held at the District’s Nature Trail in Lake Pleasant in September. They listened carefully to the presenters as they jotted down notes at stations including “What Bear Goes Where,” “Fish Morphology,” “Light Bulb Comparison,” “Tree Identification,” “Conservation Construction,” and “Follow That Drop.”

Eighty-eight students participated in this year’s essay and poster contests, illustrating what they learned at their favorite station. Judging was no easy task as all entries were exceptional.

“These students are the future generation of conservation stewards,” said Mangle. “When I review their posters and essays, it amazes me to see what they now view differently because of what was learned during the event.”

Students were awarded certificates and ribbons for school and county wide first, second, and third place standings, as well as certificates of merit.

This year’s county wide first place essay contest winner is Joyellen Trezise of Lake Pleasant Central School, and the countywide first place poster contest winner is Maria Black of Long Lake Central School. Their names were engraved on plaques to be displayed at their schools. Congratulations to all students who participated in this year’s contests. Visit www.hamiltoncountyswcd.com to view the Conservation Field Day slide show.