April 22, 2007 marks the 37th anniversary of the first official Earth Day. Much has changed since that day in 1970.

How and why did Earth Day begin? What are some ways we can celebrate the day? Have there been any changes in the way we view our environmental responsibilities since 1970? These are some of the things we want students to consider in the 13th annual Oro Loma/Waste Management Earth Day Poster Contest-Earth Day 1970-2007.

The Oro Loma/Waste Management Earth Day 2007 Poster Contest kicks off on January 16, 2007. It will be open to all students in grades K-12 attending a school in the District that uses Waste Management for its recycling program. Students have until March 16, 2007 to let us see what they have to say on the subject.

A list of cash winners in each grade category will be announced on the contest hotline at (510) 613-2855 and on www.oroloma.org on Earth Day, April 22, 2007. The specific placement of winners within each grade category will be unveiled at an awards ceremony on May 22, 2007.

Prizes are as follows: First Place $500, Second Place $300, Third Place $200, Honorable Mention (two awarded) $100. Prizes will be awarded to the winning students in each of six grade groups: K-1, 2-3, 4-5, 6-8, 9-10, 11-12. Matching cash prizes will be awarded to the winning students' schools. A Certificate of Merit will be given to the 15 finalists in each grade category who do not win a cash prize.

Free poster paper with an entry form printed on the back may be picked up at the student's school, at Waste Management's Oakland office (172 98th Avenue), and at the Oro Loma Sanitary District office (2655 Grant Avenue, San Lorenzo). An entry form will be available for download from www.oroloma.org and one is printed in the Oro Loma 2006-2007 calendar.