SLV Clean Air Art Contest

By Jennifer Parks

San Lorenzo Valley children are getting the chance to be “creative” while helping bring awareness to the San Lorenzo Valley about air quality issues created largely by wood burning smoke heating during the winter.

The Valley Women’s Club together with the Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District is sponsoring an “art contest” for all children in San Lorenzo Valley!

The San Lorenzo Valley School District is facilitating the contest and distributed flyers with the details of the contest to students at the elementary, middle and high school. San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Laurie Bruton stated: “We are always happy about showing off the talents of our students, particularly when it serves our community of San Lorenzo Valley.  The study of our environment is a critical part of our science instruction in school.”

The art contest was born from citizen input that was solicited and then organized by Supervisor Bruce McPherson to help solve the critical air quality issues our community faces. “The air quality issue in San Lorenzo Valley can be addressed — and solved — by our local community. That solution will require an educational process and having our creative students show us how to do that through their artwork will be an important part of our success,” McPherson said.

The art contest closes on October 9, and the winners will be announced at the SLV School District Board Meeting on Wednesday, October 21 at 6 p.m. Supervisor Bruce McPherson will be presenting the awards. Everyone is encouraged to come out to see the submissions and enjoy the creativity of our children and support their efforts to keep our air clean!

The Valley Women’s Club Environmental Committee is also supporting the art contest as part of their overall efforts to improve air quality in SLV.

Smoke levels in SLV are a serious health issue. SLV residents that have other means of heat are strongly encouraged to use those sources before using a wood stove. When “Spare the Air” alerts occur this winter, citizens can be notified by email, please sign-up to receive messages at: http://mbuapcd.org/programs-resources/planning/sanlorenzovalley/.

When these days occur, air quality is expected to be especially unhealthful and wood-burning stoves should only be used sparingly. Residents are encouraged to use natural gas, propane, electric, or pellet stove heating options on “Spare the Air” days.