Coloring book contest 2026

We are hosting a coloring book design contest for youth across Washington. We will announce the winners on Earth Day. Kids will learn about solutions to pollution and design coloring book pages around statements, showing off their creativity and knowledge of science and civics. Some students will even have the opportunity to be highlighted on our social media.

Designs must be submitted by March 13, 2026

I want to...

Getting started

Pick a statement from our list below, research it, and design a coloring book page that illustrates the statement. We are not looking for pages that have already been colored in—we are looking for black and white outlines that will be used as coloring book pages.

Coloring page statements

Every coloring page design must be based around one of the following statements. Please include the statement on the designed page to be eligible.

Statement 1:

Picking up pet waste stops it from washing into the water when it rains.

Statement 2:

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.

Statement 3:

Rain gardens are good at keeping chemicals, oil, and other pollution out of streams, rivers, and lakes.

Statement 4:

Cover crops like grasses, clover, and even sunflowers help keep soil healthy and stops it from washing into nearby rivers and streams.

Statement 5:

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.

Statement 6:

Keeping cows and other farm animals out of streams and lakes keeps the water clean for everyone.

Each of these statements are examples of solutions to pollution. 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 resources: Visit Ecology’s nonpoint pollution website

Guidelines for submission

Any youth in Washington State, grades K-12 can submit one design for each statement. Designs must be submitted by March 13, 2026.

To submit a design, your coloring page:

Must be in black and white
Must include one of the above statements on the design.
Can be hand drawn or digital, but must be original art. Non-authentic art, such as AI or ClipArt, will not be eligible.
Must show a pollution source and a solution.
Should not show any specific companies or brands.

Online submission form

Use our online form to submit your illustration. We accept PDF, GIF, or PNG files.

Please write your name and information in the submission form as you’d like it displayed if you are a winner.

Please note that Ecology employees and their immediate families are not eligible to participate. By entering the contest you consent to our disclaimers (see below).

Frequently asked questions

Your submission will be judged based on:

Creativity and quality
Adherence to the statements provided
Understanding of the solution to pollution
Illustrating the place you live - try to include details about the part of Washington you live in such as trees, wildlife, waterbodies, cities and towns, and physical features like mountains.

After reviewing eligible submissions, Water Quality Program employees will vote on their favorite pieces for the coloring book.

Winners will get their design published in the Ecology coloring book, recognition on social media, and a certificate of recognition.

All applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations apply. By participating in the contest and/or accepting the prize, you agree to release and hold Ecology and its employees harmless from and against any and all claims and liability arising out of the contest and participation in the contest. In the event of any actionable claim, demand, cause of action, or other potential liability, you agree that liability shall be limited to an absolute maximum of the value of the prize. By participating in this contest, you hereby agree to waive any and all claims, demands, and causes of action in excess of said amount. Further, by entering, you consent for your design to be used in promotional materials, outreach materials, or social media posts.

Contact information

Thea Angeli
Outreach Specialist
Thea.angeli@ecy.wa.gov
564-669-1889