New City, NY –The Rockland County Division of Environmental Resources celebrated the creativity and environmental awareness of local students on Monday, announcing the winners of the 2025 Environmental Management Council (EMC) Earth Day Creative Arts Contest. The contest, which aims to engage young minds in protecting the environment, honors the memory of Eleanor Burlingham, the former EMC Chair who devoted 40 years to preserving Rockland County’s natural resources.
This year’s contest theme, “Helping Nature, Helping Us,” encouraged students to explore the vital connection between people and the environment. The submissions, which ranged from artwork to written pieces, showcased how nature provides essential services, such as clean air, water, and beautiful spaces, while also underscoring the responsibility of humans to protect these resources.
County Executive Ed Day praised the students’ efforts, emphasizing the importance of this contest as a way to foster collaboration between the County and local schools. “This contest is a meaningful way for the County to collaborate with local schools and allow students to explore the vital relationship between people and the environment,” he said. “These students did a remarkable job recognizing that connection and showing, through their creative work, how each of us can take action to help nature as it helps us.”
The winners, who each demonstrated a strong understanding of how human actions impact the environment, were honored for their insightful and inspiring submissions. The 2025 Earth Day contest winners include:
- Teddy Fitzgerald and Abby Livingston from Cottage Lane Elementary School
- Kailie Mariscal from MacArthur Barr Middle School
- Olivia Gutowski from Montebello Elementary School
- Sophia Garcia and Daryna Kopchak from Valley Cottage Elementary School
“These students showed a clear understanding of how nature benefits us every day and how we must protect it,” said Day. “These winners not only honor Ms. Burlingham’s legacy by demonstrating an appreciation of the environment but also leave me proud to see the next generation’s deeply rooted commitment to the environment.”
The contest is just one of the many ways that the EMC works to engage the community in environmental stewardship. By promoting awareness and encouraging students to think creatively about nature, the contest serves as a stepping stone for young individuals to become more involved in protecting the environment for future generations.
Congratulations to all the winners for their outstanding contributions, and thank you to everyone who participated in this important initiative. The future of Rockland County’s natural resources looks bright with young environmental advocates leading the way.