Deadline extended for Forest Service student writing contest

You don’t have to be a J.K. Rowling or a Dr. Seuss to take part in the Forest Service’s wilderness writing challenge, but you do have to be a student and you do have to participate by Sept. 18.

The Forest Service’s Northern Region encourages all students to submit their personal reflections about wilderness – whether it is a 140-character tweet or the maximum length of 500 words.

Submit your writings online at the Forest Service’s Northern Region website, www.fs.usda.gov/r1, where you will find the rules of engagement. Hard-copy submissions can be

The first 50 writers to submit will receive a poster created by Monte Dolack that commemorates the Wilderness Act’s 50th anniversary.

The challenge is hosted by the Forest Service’s Northern Region as part of a national celebration of the passage of the Wilderness Act 50 years ago by Congress. The Forest Service will sponsor a celebration from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Missoula’s Silver Park. Selected writers will read their submissions starting at 2:30 p.m.

Many local Wilderness-50th celebrations are listed on the Forest Service’s website at www.fs/usda.gov/r1.