Queensbury fifth grader Scarlett Zeferino designed the winning bookmark for the 16th annual Lake George Bookmark Design Contest held by the Lake George Association.
Scarlett’s bookmark design was one of 162 entries from six different schools. Scarlett's bookmark based on the theme “Planting Trees to Make Stormwater Clean,” will be printed and distributed to schools and libraries in the Lake George basin.
The contest was open to all fourth and fifth grade students who attend public, private or home schools in the watershed, including Lake George, Bolton, Whitehall, Ticonderoga, Putnam, Fort Ann, Queensbury, Hadley-Luzerne, Warrensburg and The King’s School.
Stormwater pollution is the biggest threat to Lake George water quality, according to the Lake George Association website. Rainwater and snowmelt running off impervious surfaces, picking up nutrients and other contaminants creates stormwater pollution. Stormwater flows off lawns, roads, roofs and parking lots, moving downhill, making its way into streams and eventually the lake.
A great way to help filter stormwater is by planting trees and other native vegetation, the LGA website explains. Trees help slow down the flow of water into streams and the lake by promoting infiltration, which helps filter out pollutants in stormwater.