Smokey Bear Poster Contest

Accepting entries

Entries are now being accepted for the 2025 poster contest. Entry posmark deadline is Aug. 20, 2025.

The annual Texas Smokey Bear Poster Contest began in 2023 to celebrate Smokey’s 80th birthday. Each year, the winners are featured in a calendar. We hope to continue the contest for years to come. Entries are now being accepted for the 2025 poster contest! Entry postmark deadline is Aug. 20, 2025.

Texas communities are impacted by wildfires every year. Human activities account for 90% of wildfires in Texas – which means they are preventable! 

Since 1944, Smokey Bear has been the nationally recognized symbol for wildfire prevention. His message of “only you can prevent wildfires” encourages personal responsibility. Smokey Bear uses five rules to teach us to be careful with campfires, matches, and other outdoor activities. 

Common preventable causes of wildfires include: 

• Careless debris burning 

• Equipment use (heavy equipment, vehicles, welding, etc.) 

• Discarding smoking materials such as hot coals 

• Outdoor cooking and other outdoor activities that can release sparks 

• Arson 

Check out the 2024 calendar of poster contest winners:

Contest information

Texas students from kindergarten through 12^th grade are invited to participate in a Smokey Bear Poster contest to help promote wildfire prevention. Students will demonstrate their understanding of wildfire prevention through their original artwork of Smokey Bear. Independent school districts, homeschools, youth programs, scout groups, and other informal education, community, or youth organizations can submit entries from school-aged children are encouraged to participate.

The Smokey Bear Poster Contest helps raise awareness about wildfire prevention so we can keep Texans safe and conserve our natural resources. Contest entries should feature a wildfire prevention message for issues seen in Texas.  

The Poster Contest consists of four divisions: 

1. Kindergarten through 2^nd grade 

2. 3^rd through 5^th grade 

3. 6th through 8^th grade 

4. 9th through 12^th grade  

  

Winners will be chosen from each division. Each winner will be showcased in the 2026 Smokey Bear Calendar. Winners will receive a Smokey Bear prize box and the opportunity to host a prevention program for their classroom, youth or community group!

Email [email protected] with any questions. 

Contest rules

• Student artists must be a Texas resident in Kindergarten-12^th grade for the 2024-2025 school year.
• The deadline for entries is Aug. 30^th, 2025. Mailed posters should be postmarked by this deadline.
• All posters must include a wildfire prevention message and Smokey Bear’s likeness, presented in his correct colors and attire, as he is a national icon protected by federal law. 

• Smokey Bear’s illustration must be the artist’s original drawing. Visit SmokeyBear.comfor examples. 

• Posters should be created using regular 8½x11 paper or construction paper. 

• Approved art mediums include crayons, pencils, markers, paint or similar mediums. No 3-D or glue-on materials will be accepted. 

• Landscape orientation is preferred. 

• Please avoid spelling or grammar errors. 

• Posters will be judged based on overall design, message effectiveness, artwork, and originality. 

• Posters must be completed by student artists.  

• The division will be the student’s grade level for the 2023/2024 school year. This includes entries submitted during the summer.  

• In-person entries will be accepted if completed during an event with Texas A&M Forest Service.  
• Submitted entries become property of Texas A&M Forest Service and will not be returned to participants. 

• The following information must be on the back of the poster: Student Name, Division, Grade Level, Age, Parent Name, Parent email address, and Parent phone number. Use the provided form (link to attached entry form) and attach to the back or write the information on the back but avoid dark marker that may show through. 

Posters should be mailed by Aug. 30, 2025 (flat not folded) to: 

       Texas A&M Forest Service 

       P.O. Box 1084 

         Victoria, Tx 77902            

Additional tips and information

• Entries may be submitted anytime up to the announced closing date. 

• Winners will be announced in October during Fire Prevention Week. 

• Landscape orientation is preferred. Avoid spelling or grammar errors. Any offensive entries will be disqualified.  

• Explore information on SmokeyBear.com and wildfire prevention for inspiration.