2021 California Urban Forests Council Haiku Contest

Theme: Birds, bats, bugs, & bees… What else relies on trees?

First Place – Lisa Johnson

Second Place – Sara Minkoff

Third Place – Cherise Hunt

View the gallery to see all submissions for 2021’s Haiku competition.

Judging the submissions

All the haikus submitted were given a number and the author’s name removed as part of our blind judging process. Our panel of 3 judges then evaluated each poem against the following criteria:

  • Relevance to the theme
  • Creativity/Style and Originality
  • Coherence of form and structure (harmony of words, presentation)
  • Clarity of imagery and language

Each judge awarded a score of 1 to 5 in relation to each of the criteria, with 5 being excellent. These were then tallied to give an overall score.

See all the past entries here.

Entries have closed!

A haiku is a short three-line poem that uses sensory language to capture a feeling or image. Developed by Japanese poets, haiku are often inspired by nature, a moment of beauty, or poignant experience.

Haikus follow a strict form: three lines, with a 5-7-5 syllable structure. That means the first line will have five syllables, the second line will have seven syllables, and the last line will have five syllables. A haiku does not have to rhyme or follow a certain rhythm as long as it adheres to the syllable count.

4th Annual California Urban Forests Council Haiku Contest

THEME:

Birds, bugs, bats, bees…What else relies on trees?

RULES:

  • Limit of 3 entries per person
  • Please “keep it clean”
  • Deadline August 31 st
  • Enter using the form below
  • All entries become the property of CaUFC to use in future promotions

See past entries here

THE CATEGORIES & PRIZES

FIRST PRIZE

A half case (6 bottles), selection of red and white Cline Cellars wines (Valued up to $150*) plus a copy of Matt Ritter’s book CALIFORNIA PLANTS: A Guide to Our Iconic Flora, and a limited edition print.

Includes shipping within the US.

Please note wine cannot be shipped to the following states: AL, AK, AR, DE, HI, IN, KY, MS, OK, RI, UT, WV.

*Value depends on wines available at the time.

SECOND PRIZE

$100 gift card from your choice of:

  • Home Depot
  • Apple
  • Amazon
  • Uber
  • REI

Plus a prize pack including a copy of Matt Ritter’s book CALIFORNIA PLANTS: A Guide to Our Iconic Flora, and a limited edition print.

THIRD PRIZE

$50 gift card from your choice of:

  • Home Depot
  • Apple
  • Amazon
  • Uber
  • REI

Plus a prize pack including a copy of Matt Ritter’s book CALIFORNIA PLANTS: A Guide to Our Iconic Flora, and a limited edition print.

 

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