Jeffrey Smith received a certificate for honorable mention for the Smokey Bear/Woodsy Owl poster contest at the California Garden Club Inc.'s Youth Recognition Luncheon, held during the group's May 2011 convention in Rohnert Park, Calif. Photo by Linda Waterstraat.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A local child won honorable mention in the California Garden Club's Smokey Bear/Woodsy Owl poster contest.

Jeffrey Smith received a certificate and recognition at the California Garden Club Inc. Youth Recognition Luncheon in Rohnert Park, held in May during the club's annual convention.

He attended with his mom and grandparents.

Jeffrey is a third grader at Lakeport Elementary School; his teacher is Mrs. Ackermann.

Clear Lake Trowel & Trellis Garden Club sponsors a Smokey Bear/Woodsy Owl poster contest for local youth to help teach them about fire prevention and basic environmental conservation principles.

With poster paper and crayons, the students free hand draw Smokey Bear, color their poster and, most importantly, write, “Only You Can Prevent Wildfires,” or draw Woodsy Owl and write, “Lend a Hand, Care For the Land.”

Jeffrey won at the local level for the third class. First place is sent to California Garden Club Inc.

Smokey Bear is recognized nationally and internationally as the symbol for fire prevention. You've seen him dressed in a ranger's hat and blue jeans and carrying a shovel. The original Smokey Bear appeared in 1944.

Smokey's message, “Remember, Only You can prevent wildfires,” is one that children have heard for many years. It is encouraging personal responsibility for fire prevention.

Smokey Bear teaches children and adults to be careful with campfires, barbecues, trash fires and matches.

The US Forestry keeps a record of the number of schools, youth organizations and students the garden clubs reach within each state.

The US Forest Service invests taxpayer money in keeping this partnership alive. The club assists the agency by providing an estimate of their outreach efforts with the Smokey Bear poster contest.

Smokey Bear has his picture taken with youth poster contest winners during the California Garden Club Inc.'s Youth Recognition Luncheon in Rohnert Park, Calif., held in May 2011 during the group's convention. Photo by Linda Waterstraat.