Calling all elementary school students and teachers in Washington.

Since 2005, the I-90 Wildlife Bridges Coalition and the Washington State Department of Transportation host an annual call looking for creative elementary students (grades K-5) to participate in the Bridging Futures Art and Essay Contest. The Bridging Futures Contest helps us educate the public about the importance of protecting both drivers and wildlife on our state’s highways, while getting creative solutions to issues surrounding wildlife and roads from students.

To participate in the contest, students create drawings that show how wildlife can safely cross highways. Students must also submit a short essay explaining their drawing and answering the question: Why is it important to consider animals when designing highways? 

We can come to classrooms to offer a presentation, or provide a lesson plan for teachers or parents to host their own dialogue.  To help you explain the Bridging Futures Contest to your students and educate them about wildlife and the world of transportation, please see the helpful lesson-planning guide.  Great ways to start a dialogue is to ask students questions like:  How do they know when it is safe to cross the road, and then how do wildlife know where to cross?  What kinds of animals live in Washington that are trying to cross the roadway?  What could we do to make it safer for both the animals and drivers?

The contest features the I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East Project (I-90 Project), which is a major highway improvement project that addresses roadway issues and improves the mobility of fish and wildlife. The I-90 Project includes three proposed wildlife overcrossings, numerous undercrossings, and several large culverts that will reconnect fish and wildlife habitats.  This project helps to inspire ideas and provide a tangible example close to home for students.

We’ve seen some amazing ideas over the years – from wildlife crossing guards to fish ladders.  See the latest entries in our 2012 contest, and stay tuned next year for our 2013 contest.

Review photos and ads from each year of our contest on our Flickr page:  2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011.