The deadline is at the close of business today for a contest to come up with a new slogan for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Keepers of the Land Volunteer Program. Dawn Stohs, the program coordinator for the D.N.R. program, says the slogans need to be two to five words and reflect what volunteering means to Iowa’s natural resources.

Stohs says, “Volunteers are key to maintaining our natural resources and we’re looking for a new theme, a slogan to be used on marketing materials and promotional items to really promote what our volunteer program is and drawing folks and recruiting folks to assist and get back out to the natural resources of Iowa.” She says the winner will get special prizes.

The winner will get two nights of free camping at any Iowa state park, a year’s subscription to Iowa Outdoors magazine, an Iowa Sportsman’s atlas, and other prizes. To enter, visit the website: “www.iowadnr.gov” or via Twitter or Facebook. The top three slogans will be placed on the D.N.R.’s Facebook page on March 5 and the entry with the most “likes” by 4:30 P.M. on March 15th will be declared the winner.

Last year, more than 93,000 hours were donated by more than 24,000 volunteers to enhance and preserve Iowa’s natural resources.

By Pat Powers, KQWC, Webster City