Poetry is in everything we do, opening and connecting our minds to others and the natural world.  This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act.  Androscoggin Land Trust, in partnership with the Auburn Public Library, is pleased to offer an amateur poetry contest to celebrate the conservation of our natural world in this art form.  Contestants are asked to be inspired and celebrate conservation and clean water in the poetry form of their choice.

Original poems will be judged in the following age categories:  10 and under, 11-13, 14-17, 18-22, 23-55 and 56+.  There will be winners in each category!  The contest runs from June 17 to July 19 and is open to all residents in the Androscoggin Land Trust service region. Submissions will be accepted in English and/or the poet’s primary language; the deadline for submission is 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 19, 2022.  When submitting, please include name, contact (email and/or phone), and age category.  Entries will be accepted via email — info@androscogginlandtrust.org; or mail to Androscoggin Land Trust, PO Box 3145, Auburn, ME 04212.

On July 28 at 3:00 p.m., join Androscoggin Land Trust at the Auburn Public Library for a short presentation on the Clean Water Act in celebration of its 50th Anniversary.  There will also be poetry readings, the announcement of the winners of the contest, introduction to Writing the Land — a special poetry project in which ALT is involved, and a surprise announcement for poetry winners!

This contest and program is presented as part of our Adult Summer Reading Program, “Oceans of Possibilities” wherein participants spend time exploring Maine’s waterways.