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Bridging Futures III Contest:  Winners Announced

The I-90 Wildlife Bridges Coalition teamed with the WA State Department of Transportation for a third year of the Bridging Futures Contest. Our organizations worked together with children in classrooms across the state through our websites, information packets, and presentations to educate them about issues surrounding wildlife and our roads with a specific focus on the I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East Project.  Then, we tapped into their creativity by asking them to use what they learned to write an essay and draw a billboard ad design to help educate drivers along our roadways.  Many great ideas came in to our office from Bothell to Wenatchee, and for the first time we had a tie for first place.  Keep an eye on the road for our billboard ads this summer!  One ad will run along Highway 99 in Seattle by the Woodland Park Zoo, while the other will run on Cascade Way off of Interstate 90 in Ellensburg closer to the project area.

Thank you to all the students who participated.  We are currently working on production of a book that will compile some of the best ads from the last 3 years, so stay tuned for more details.  Below are the top ten ads including the winning ads from each district. 
 

	"I think making highways safer is important because that way not many animals or people get hurt or ranover and then the animals won't get extinct." Brenda Medina of Wenatchee.
	"...The drawing I did shows all kinds of animals using a overpass.  There is a porcupine, a rabbit, and a deer.  Also, there are all kinds of grass and flowers for the animals to eat.  They get to cross the highway safely and have good food to eat..." Excerpt from Sandra Brown of Tacoma's essay.
	Jose Luis Medina-Bustes of Wenatchee.
	"Because so in about four more years deer won't be extinct.  So I think we should put a bridge just for forest animals to cross over the roads." Katie Grubb of Wenatchee.
	"Roadkill everywhere, dead corpses.  The horrid smell, but there's a solution.  Two words "Underground highway"...This way the crossing animals will be safe from cars.  They can walk across peacefully...." Excerpt from Vince Quach of Tacoma's essay.
	"So animals get safe across the road." Karen Cabrera Laurd of Wenatchee.
	"....My drawing was simple, got right to the point, and it is pretty clear so you know what the topic is.  I made the setting like a scene that I remember when I took I-90 one time...I put three crossings, a deer, a skunk, and a crossing for other animals like bears, opossums, and elk.  I made it stand out because it was the main idea of the poster.  Also I added a small logo that matches the topic and I think its catchy too.  It is "Animals and cars don't mix!..." Excerpt from Katelyn Michael of Tacoma's essay.
	"...In conclusion, the new animal crossings and underpasses that should be built on I-90 would not only help stop animal roadkill, but would also stop injuries to people, save people money, and protect animal habitats."  Excerpt from Mia Costello of Tacoma's essay.
	District Winning ad for Bothell, WA.  Joint design by Caya Ridgeway and Ryan Reamy of Kokanee Elementary School.
	"I think it is important to keep animals safe from the roads.  It is also important for people to drive safely without worrying about hitting animals on the road.  That is why I drew my picture."  Tessa Britt of Seattle.

Photo below:  State Senator Linda Parlett, WSDOT Brian White, librarian Mr. Gemeinhart, and teacher Mr. Martinez awarding Brenda Medina of Mission View Elementary as one of our tied first place winners.

"Taking part in this contest was a great experience. Kids love to feel like they're making a difference and helping the world, and the i90 Wildlife Bridge contest was a perfect opportunity to get them involved. The kids really got the idea and spirit of this; when presented with the Wildlife Bridge concept, the usual response was, "well, of course! Isn't that just fair?" Its a natural fit to promote this with kids, who still value Decency above the Dollar and Common Sense above Counting Cents!"

- Dan Gemeinhart, Librarian at Mission View Elementary
 

Contest co-sponsored by:

Click here to visit their webpage.