A talented fifth-grade artist from Carroll County has brought home the top prize in Maryland’s annual Arbor Day poster competition, earning his school 15 new trees in the process.
Levi Rentch, a student at Piney Ridge Elementary School, claimed first place in the 2026 Maryland Fifth Grade Arbor Day Poster Contest, which is organized by the Maryland Forest Service.
This statewide competition invites fifth-grade students to showcase their artistic talents while creating posters that celebrate a tree-focused theme. This year’s challenge asked students to interpret “Trees are Terrific … And Color Our World!”
Rentch’s winning design depicted a vibrant woodland scene with various creatures including an owl, fox, cardinal, squirrel, butterflies, hedgehog, and beetle all gathered beneath a towering tree.
As the first-place winner, Rentch will receive a Smokey Bear gift package, and his school will benefit from the planting of 15 new trees. Second-place winners receive 10 trees for their schools, while third-place finishers earn five trees.
The competition follows an annual format where the theme begins with “Trees are Terrific,” highlighting how crucial forests and trees are to Maryland’s environmental health. The second portion of the theme varies each year, with previous versions including “…And Forests are Too” and “…In All Shapes and Sizes.”
“We give them a theme, and magic happens,” said Maryland Forest Service Director Anne Hairston-Strang.
This year’s judging panel included Hairston-Strang alongside Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz and Comptroller Brooke Lierman. Lierman expressed gratitude to DNR staff for inspiring children about natural resources and forestry.
“Events like this demonstrate to young Marylanders that we value their contributions, and they in turn learn the importance of our natural resources, like trees,” Lierman said. “I appreciate the work of our forestry staff and all team members at the Department of Natural Resources for their efforts to create beautiful, natural spaces for all Marylanders, and for their outreach to people of all ages.”
Maryland’s forests provide stunning seasonal displays, from spring’s fresh green foliage to autumn’s brilliant reds and oranges that transform the state’s landscape.
“Each year, I’m always impressed with the creativity and artistic skills of our Maryland 5th graders thanks to this event. You can tell that they learn about the ecological value of trees through the process of creating their art,” said Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz, who also thanked Comptroller Lierman for her continued support of the poster contest. “Comptroller Lierman really has been a champion for forests and for all of our natural resources and the environment. We are deeply appreciative of her.”
The Maryland Forest Service collaborates with Maryland Forest Conservancy District Boards each year to coordinate this competition for the state’s fifth-graders. County-level winners advance to the statewide competition, which is evaluated by the Maryland Urban and Community Forestry Committee.
The judging ceremony took place on April 22 at DNR headquarters in Annapolis, with Comptroller Lierman participating as a special guest.
Yohan Kagheni from Rockland Woods Elementary School in Washington County secured second place, while Leighton Chlebowski from Liberty Elementary School in Frederick County earned third place.
