The annual TU/Orvis Teen Essay Contest: Why are public green – and blue - spaces important to you?

Fishing is just one way to enjoy our public lands. Brett Prettyman/Trout Unlimited

Use your words to inspire others and win gear in the annual TU/Orvis Teen Essay contest

Public green and blue spaces can hold varying levels of importance and interest for people, but they all have one thing in common: endless opportunity for exploration.

For folks living in cities, public spaces such as neighborhood parks and greenways; woods and gardens; or ponds and lakesides are a respite from summer heat and provide space for physical activity. For those who live close to public lands such as U.S. Forest Service land or a national park, public lands can offer camping, hiking and biking trails. Plus, public lands and urban green spaces provide ample opportunity to wet a line.

Trout Unlimited is teaming up with Orvis to make our annual TU Teens Essay Contest the best ever. We want to hear from any young person between the ages of 12 and 18 why public spaces and lands are important to them. Judges will choose winners from two categories: 8^th grade to 10^th grade & 11^th and 12^th grade. The deadline is Oct. 1, 2021.

When teens enter our TU Teen Essay contest, they get the chance to win a new Orvis Helios 3 outfit plus have their winning essay published in TROUT magazine. Second place teen essayists can choose between an Orvis Recon outfit or Orvis Bug Out backpack; third place will choose between an Orvis Clearwater outfit or Orvis Guide Sling/Tote combo.

Visit www.tu.org/teen-essays for the essay prompt, contest rules and details. Contact Brett Prettyman with questions and to enter. We can’t wait to hear from you.