The Ocean County Soil Conservation District is proud to announce that Ethan Harding of New Egypt High School has been named the 2026 Grand Champion winner of the NJ Conservation Poster Contest. Each year, the contest gives students in grades 2–12 the opportunity to express their ideas about conservation through art while learning about the importance of protecting natural resources.
The 2026 theme, “Soil. Where It All Begins” celebrates the essential role of soil in supporting life on Earth. From growing healthy food to protecting water quality and supporting wildlife habitat, soil truly is the foundation of our ecosystems and communities. Students across Ocean County used their creativity to explore this idea in powerful and meaningful ways.
Ethan’s poster was first selected as the First Place winner in the 10-12 Grade Group, and was then chosen from among the four grade-group winners (Grades 2–3, 4–6, 7–9, and 10–12) as the overall Grand Champion. His poster stood out for its strong conservation message and creative interpretation of the theme. As Grand Champion, Ethan will receive a $50 prize from the Ocean County Soil Conservation District.
Soil is an essential resource that helps grow our food and keeps us balanced on our own two feet. Even though we step all over it, we should strive to protect it by using sustainable practices so that future generations can have what we have.
~Ethan Harding, New Egypt, NJ
OCSCD would also like to recognize the outstanding First Place winners in the other grade groups:
- Derek Disanza of Forked River – First Place Winner, Grade Group 2–3
- Olivia Carlson of Veterans Memorial Middle School – First Place Winner, Grade Group 4–6
- Madeline Janik of Veterans Memorial Middle School – First Place Winner, Grade Group 7–9
All four First Place winning posters — including Ethan’s — will now move on to compete in the Statewide Conservation Poster Contest sponsored by the New Jersey Association of Conservation Districts. State winners will then advance to the national competition hosted by the National Association of Conservation Districts, where student artwork from across the country is recognized each year.
The annual poster contest is sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, the New Jersey Association of Conservation Districts, the National Association of Conservation Districts, and local Soil Conservation Districts such as OCSCD. The goal of the program is to help students better understand the connection between natural resources and everyday life while encouraging them to share that message through creativity and art.
Congratulations to Ethan and to all of this year’s participants! The creativity, effort, and environmental awareness shown by students across Ocean County is truly inspiring.