LEXINGTON, Ky., — Students have the chance to win up to $500 in a student logo design competition which runs through Jan. 26.

The University of Kentucky’s Environmental and Natural Resource Issues task force is looking to the campus community for help in improving local water quality. They need an innovative design that will encourage Fayette County pet owners to Be A Super Scooper. The logo should motivate pet owners to clean up after their pet at home and in public places, because pet poop is more than a smelly nuisance—it pollutes area streams.

The winning design will be used to brand educational materials and other products and help spread the word about this important campaign. Designs should be original, creative and tasteful. Humor is encouraged. The winning design will receive $500, and the runner-up will receive $200. The ENRI faculty want student designers to have fun with the design.

This UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment project is part of an educational program to inform homeowners that what lands on the lawn may end up in waterways. In many urban areas, canine waste is carried by stormwater directly into creeks and streams. As canine fecal matter breaks down, it releases pathogens and excess nutrients such as phosphorous into the water. That’s not good for stream health or human health. In densely populated urban areas, dog waste is among the leading sources of these contaminants.

For competition rules, go to https://water.ca.uky.edu/content/logo-contest.

Funding for the competition was provided by Student Sustainability Council and the UK Department of Plant and Soil Sciences. The program is funded through Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Stormwater Quality Projects Incentive Grant Program.