Bulbs flashed and Sarasota County commissioners clamored for autographs on Tuesday, Dec. 11, as 13 elementary school artists debuted their illustrations that comprise the 2008 “It’s Your Watershed” calendar. More than 1,000 students entered this year’s competition to depict ways to conserve rainwater, preserve plant buffers and minimize fertilizer and pesticide runoff that threatens Sarasota County’s 5,400 water bodies. So many people jockeyed for position and pictures of this year’s winners, that Commissioner Jon Thaxton joked, “This is almost like the Emmys!”

More photos of the calendar winners

“This is the best thing we get to do all year,” said Commission Chair Nora Patterson, who, along with other commissioners, passed their own calendars around for the children’s signatures over breakfast. Then each child was recognized during the regular Sarasota County Commission meeting.

“These calendars are a wonderful way to educate and encourage the participation of future generations, who will ultimately benefit from how we care for our water resources,” says Rob Wright, who coordinates the calendar contest for Sarasota County through its Neighborhood Environmental Stewardship Team (NEST) program.  The program is also funded in part by the Manasota Basin Board of Southwest Florida Water Management District.

This year’s calendar features each winning illustration, along with tips on making landscapes “bay-friendly,” an overview of the county’s new fertilizer ordinance, a glossary of “water words” and a special section on Sarasota County’s Lemon Bay Watershed Management Program.

The annual calendar contest is open to any elementary student in any public or private Sarasota County school, including charter and elementary-age home-schooled students. Each winner’s school will receive a supply of calendars for distribution, and copies of their winning artwork will be displayed throughout January 2008 in the Sarasota County School Board Administration and at G.WIZ Science Museum.

To get a free copy of the 2008 Watershed calendar, or to learn more about the NEST program, contact the Sarasota County Call Center at 941-861-5000 and ask for Rob Wright.