The contest is open to 4th and 5th graders who attend any public, private, charter or homeschool in Oakland County, Michigan.

Artwork Theme: We Can All Help to Keep Oakland County's Lakes, Rivers, Streams and Watersheds Clean!

Entries should promote how to protect our lakes, streams, rivers and watersheds from pollution and how to conserve water.

Find inspiration by visiting:

• WRC's Seven Simple Steps to Clean Water Website and Storymap
• WRC's "Waterfront Wisdom" Publication
• WRC Presentation of the Enviroscape Watershed Model - Learn about the water cycle, freshwater availability, watersheds and see how pollution can impact our waterways in a live demonstration.
• Oakland County's 24-Hour Pollution Hotline information
• SEMCOG's "One Water" Educational Materials
• Oakland County's Household Hazardous Waste Recycling Programs
• Oakland County's "Operation Medicine Cabinet" Drug Takeback Program
• Oakland County CISMA - Resources on Invasives Species Prevention and Management
• Great Lakes Learning - Resources for Remote Teaching from Great Lakes Now

View the artwork from the 2026 calendar.

Artwork Requirements

• Use plain, white, letter-sized paper, landscape format (11 inches wide by 8 1/2 inches tall)
• Bold colors and lines show up best; art may be composed of crayons, markers, ink, watercolors, paint, etc.
• Students must work on drawings individually
• Do not mount, frame, fold or roll drawings
• Artwork becomes the property of the Water Resources Commissioner's Office and will not be returned

Mail or hand deliver entries by October 9, 2026 to:

Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner's Office
Attn: Calendar Contest
One Public Works Drive, Bldg 95W
Waterford, MI 48328

View the 2027 Contest Rules and Entry Form.

One entry per student.

Entries will be judged by water resource professionals on effectiveness of message, creativity, educational aspects and uniqueness.