Calling All Kids! Help the WA State Department of Ecology Design a Clean Water Coloring Book

Community

February 13, 2026

A graphic depicts a smiling globe and the words, "A solution to pollution."

Calling all kids! Here’s an exciting opportunity for creativity, as the Department of Ecology Water Quality Program has just rolled out a coloring book design contest for students across the state.

When it rains, pollution from the land gets washed into our waterways. It can come from many sources including animals, lawns and farm fields, and roads. This is called nonpoint pollution. The Washington State Department of Ecology has provided six statements that describe ways people can all work together to reduce nonpoint pollution, and the design submissions must illustrate one of the statements, and include the statement on the design:

“Picking up pet waste stops it from washing into the water when it rains.”
“Trees and shrubs are awesome in many ways! They can stop pollution before it gets to the water and shade it to keep it cool for fish and frogs.”
“Rain gardens are good at keeping chemicals, oil, and other pollution out of streams, rivers, and lakes.”
“Cover crops like grasses, clover, and even sunflowers help keep soil healthy and stops it from washing into nearby rivers and streams.”
“Fertilizers and pesticides can help our lawns stay alive, but they can also harm the creatures living in the stream if you don’t use them with care.”
“Keeping cows and other farm animals out of streams and lakes keeps the water clean for everyone.”

Students of any age, grades K-12, can submit their work. Visit the official coloring book contest web page for the full guidelines, instructions on how to submit, and the deadline. Ecology employees and their immediate families are not eligible to participate.

Meanwhile, students can use the following resources to learn more about how to prevent water pollution from runoff:

English and Spanish resources: visit the Washington Conservation Commission website.
English only resource: visit our nonpoint pollution web page.

Teachers: If you have questions about the contest, or if you are looking for more materials, email Marnie Miller-Keas or call 509–743–8078.

Check out the Washington State Department of Ecology blog to get started, at https://ecology.wa.gov/blog/colorContest! Designs must be submitted by March 13, 2026, and the contest winners will be announced on Earth Day (April 22, 2026).

It will be exciting to see what the students of Washington create!

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