2023 Haiku Contest

Shades of Well-Being: Urban Forestry’s Role in Public Health & Equity

1st Place – Jonathan Aylett

2nd Place – Goran Galatica

3rd Place – Kelly Shaw

View the gallery to see all submissions for 2023’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! The judging will begin soon. 

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 a 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.

6th Annual California Urban Forests Council Haiku Contest

THEME:

Shades of Well-Being: Urban Forestry’s Role in Public Health & Equity

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 or view the entries on our Instagram page.

THE CATEGORIES & PRIZES

FIRST PRIZE

$250 gift card from your choice of:

  • Home Depot
  • Apple
  • Amazon
  • Uber
  • REI

Plus a prize pack including a copy of Matt Ritter’s book A CALIFORNIAN’S GUIDE TO THE TREES AMONG US, 2nd Ed., Expanded And Updated, and a limited edition print.

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 A CALIFORNIAN’S GUIDE TO THE TREES AMONG US, 2nd Ed., Expanded And Updated, 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 A CALIFORNIAN’S GUIDE TO THE TREES AMONG US, 2nd Ed., Expanded And Updated, and a limited edition print.

 

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