Texas A&M Forest Service presents the 2nd Annual Smokey Bear Poster Contest for Texas students.

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 or youth organizations can submit entries from school-aged children.

Every year, Texas communities are impacted by wildfires. 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 children and adults to be careful with campfires, matches, and other outdoor activities.

Nine out of ten wildfires are caused by people. 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

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 2025 Smokey Bear Calendar from Texas A&M Forest Service.

Email tfsprevention@tfs.tamu.edu with any questions.

• 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. See the Tips tab for examples of Smokey Bear or visit SmokeyBear.com. 
• 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. 
• All poster entries should be submitted by a recognized Texas school, a youth organization/group or other informal education entity such as a library, park, or nature center.
• In-person entries will be accepted if completed during an event with Texas A&M Forest Service. 
• The following information must be on the back of the poster. Use the provided 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 (flat not folded) to:

The Texas Smokey Bear Poster Contest is hosted by Texas A&M Forest Service. The primary goal of Smokey Bear’s Poster Contest is to 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

• Texas-based students from Kindergarten through 12^th grade can participate. Independent school districts, homeschools, youth programs/camps, scout groups, or other informal education or youth groups can also submit entries from school-aged children.
• The student's respective division will be the student's grade level for the 2023-2024 school year (including summer entries).
• Entries may be submitted anytime up to the closing date of August 9, 2024.
• Winners will be announced in October during Fire Prevention Week!
• Landscape orientation is preferred and avoid spelling or grammar errors. Any offensive entries will be disqualified. 
• Visit https://smokeybear.com/ and https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/PreventWildfire/ for wildfire prevention information including Smokey Bear’s story, common wildfire causes, and prevention tips to help the students create their poster.

Watch Texas A&M Forest Service read the Smokey Bear story here: 


Examples of Smokey Bear:

   

 

  

 

  

 

Winners will be chosen from each division. Each winner will be showcased in the 2025 Smokey Bear Calendar from Texas A&M Forest Service. 

The classroom or youth group of each winner will receive Smokey Bear education materials, a Teacher Toolbox Kit, a special visit from Smokey and Texas A&M Forest Service personnel and, of course, copies of the calendar!

 Poster Contest Entry Form

 Poster Contest Flyer
 

Poster Contest Information Packet