Share your story. Voice your ideas.  Help educate the public by creating a video about Low Impact Development (LID). 

A PSA, or public service announcement, is a publication that helps change attitudes and behaviors by raising awareness about a community issue. You can create a newscast, animation, commercial, reality television show, or even music video. Let your imagination go wild, but please read the following instructions carefully!

2024 High School Video Contest theme: Put a LID on it!

What is Low Impact Development (LID) and how can it protect the Russian River watershed?

Submission deadline: 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, April 4^th, 2024

Winning videos will be premiered and celebrated at our Student Showcase. 

At this event, we will also celebrate grant recipients from our A Call to Action program.

When: Tentatively Thursday, May 9th 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Where: Advanced Energy Center, 741 4th Street, Santa Rosa CA 95404

Contest Information

Who May Enter?

Students in grades 9 - 12 attending high school in Sonoma, Mendocino, or northern Marin counties. Homeschool students are welcome to participate.

Entries can be an individual or team effort.

   Creators and co-creators

• Creators and co-creators are eligible to win prize money. A student can submit one entry as a creator OR one entry as a co-creator, but not both. 
• Maximum of 5 co-creators per video entry.

   Contributors

• Contributors are not eligible to win prize money. An example of a contributor would be an actor who had a small role in the video.
• A contributor does not need to be a high school student.
• No maximum number of contributors.
• Contributors are welcome to contribute to multiple videos.
• You can be a creator on one video entry and a contributor on multiple video entries. 

What prizes are offered?

Cash awards will be split with 50% of the prize money going to the individual(s) who submitted the video and 50% to the high school they attend.

• 1^st Place - $1,500
• 2^nd Place - $1,000
• 3^rd Place - $500

What are the video guidelines?

Your production needs to be exactly 55 seconds in length (this includes the required closing scene – see more info below).

Recommended video specifications: 

Resolution- 720p (1280x720), 1080p (1920x1080), 4K UHD (3840x2160) or DCI 4K (4096x2160)

Codec –  H.264 preferred

Frame Rate – 24

All text must be in title safe area.

File Type: .MOV or .MP4

All entries must be student-created. The entry may not contain any copyrighted material of any medium (music, images, etc.) and no professional assistance is allowed. Such use will result in an automatic disqualification. Interviews with professionals are acceptable, even encouraged!

DO NOT delete your original project file until the winners of the contest have been announced. If you place, you may be asked to make modifications to your entry.

How should I end my video?

Slogan: Put a LID on it! 

You must include the slogan in your video and explain what LID stands for (Low Impact Development).

Closing scene: This contest is sponsored by the Russian River Watershed Association. The last scene must feature:

• The Russian River Watershed Association logo(please do not modify the logo from its original form or color)
• And the text: For more information about your water, please visit: www.rrwatershed.org

Does my video have to be in English?

RRWA welcomes videos in all languages, but please include English subtitles. 

Submission Deadline: 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, April 4^th, 2024

How do I submit my video?

Clearly label your video file with the last names of those submitting the video to help us quickly and easily identify your video.

Please export your entry as a single file in the highest quality. Preferred formats include: .mp4, .mpg, .wmv, or .avi.

Entries can be submitted through the following methods:

• Online Upload Form You will need to sign into a Google account in order to upload a file. (Create a free Google account)
• If you are using a School Google Account, use this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf_2jUFwR5jcjdCeUWHRfsHdSix1HXGc1amRdYpVt3H-FbEgA/viewform
• File sharing sites such as: sendspace.com, dropsend.com, hightail.com, dropbox.com, etc.
• USB drive (Multiple video submissions can be placed on one USB drive. USB drives will not be returned.)

All entries must be submitted or postmarked by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, April 4^th, 2024. USB drives can be mailed to:

ATTN Sarah Wickersham
Sonoma Water
404 Aviation Boulevard
Santa Rosa, CA 95403

If you need to reach Sonoma Water's front desk, please call 707-526-5370.

Please DO NOT delete your original project file until the winners of the contest have been announced. If you place, you may be asked to make modifications to your entry.

What about the Entry Release Form?

A completed Entry Release Form must be submitted for every contributor involved in the production of the video. This means, if you ask your younger siblings to be an actor in your production, they must also submit a release form. On the release form, please select all roles that apply. Only creators and co-creators will receive prize money. 

If you are using a School Google Account, use this link to access the Entry Release Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc6EsQt022_17IFWxW4YYGPv7iSlNVrY4L615tr2NBfvVk00w/viewform

You must provide the source of your royalty-free images and music for any unoriginal content.

You may submit your form online or by mail.

1.) To submit ONLINE:

1. Open the fillable PDF.
2. Type in your information.
3. Print the document.
4. Collect signatures on the appropriate lines.
5. Scan the form as a PDF. Only PDFs will be accepted.
6. If you have more than one release form per video, please upload them all together.
7. Upload your Entry Release Form

2.) To submit by MAIL:

1. Open the fillable PDF.
2. Type in your information.
3. Print the document.
4. Collect signatures on the appropriate lines.
5. If there is more than one release form per video, please staple or clip them together.
6. All of your release forms must be postmarked on Thursday, April 4^th, 2024, to:

     ATTN Sarah Wickersham
     Sonoma Water
     404 Aviation Boulevard
     Santa Rosa, CA 95403

Use this checklist to ensure you’ve included all the important criteria in your video:

• Does your video educate the public about Low Impact Development (LID)?
• Does your video focus on the Russian River watershed?
• Did you include why this topic is of importance to the public?
• Did you research the topic to make sure your facts are accurate and pertinent to our local watershed? 
• Is your video entertaining, creative, and original?
• Is the audio and technical construction clear and of high quality? (No blurry or pixelated images please!)
• Make sure you include this year's slogan: Put a LID on it!
• Make sure your closing scene features: The RRWA logo (please do not modify the logo from its original form) and the text: For more information about your water, please visit: rrwatershed.org
• Did each person involved in the production of the video fill out an Entry Release Form?
• Did you clearly label your video file with the last names of those submitting the video?
• Did you follow ALL of the requirements listed above?
• Please do NOT delete your original project file until the winners of the contest have been announced.

How do I evaluate my sources?

Here are some questions to consider as you evaluate your sources of information:

• Who created this website/video/article and what are their qualifications?
• What other content is included? Does the author list the source of their information?
• What is the purpose of the website? Are they selling a product or service? Can you detect any bias?
• How current is the information?
• How pertinent is it to where we live?

Check out these links to help you evaluate the authenticity of a website:

• Evaluating Web Resources (umn.edu)
• Brock Evaluating Information Sources

What is Low Impact Development (LID)?

Stormwater, or water runoff generated from rain, that is not absorbed into the ground accumulates debris, chemicals, and other polluting substances as it drains to local rivers and creeks and ultimately the Pacific Ocean. Polluted stormwater negatively impacts the water quality of creeks and rivers, is a significant public health concern, and is a threat to plant and animal life in the watershed. Low Impact Development (LID) aims to capture stormwater and filter pollution.

Examples of Low Impact Development (LID) include: 

Interceptor Trees	Vegetated Swale	Porous Pavement	Infiltration Trench

Resources for further information:

Use the following resources to get you started on your research:

PSA and Video Creation:

• PSA How to Create the Perfect Public Service Announcement
• Filmmaking Resources for Filmmaking in the Classroom by Edutopia

Low Impact Development (LID):

Note: When researching to create your video, be aware that Low Impact Development (LID) may also be referred to as green infrastructure. 

• Russian River Watershed Association Stormwater Low Impact Development
• EPA Urban Runoff: Low Impact Development
• CA State Water Resources Control Board Low Impact Development 
• City of Santa Rosa Low Impact Development Guide
• EPA What is Green Infrastructure?
• Video: Sonoma Water's Water Supply System

*Your video entry should focus on the Russian River watershed.

How will my video be scored?

An 8-member judging panel including professionals in media and water industries will rate the videos on the following criteria: Connection to this year's theme, creativity and originality, entertainment value, accuracy of the information, and composition.

Connection to this year's theme: The video shares a strikingly unique perspective and/or noteworthy idea/s related to the theme. Viewer is left deeply engaged and wanting to learn more.

Creativity and originality: Video is original, creative, and provides a unique, interesting approach.

Entertainment value: WOW! This video is memorable, hilarious, or remarkable. Video captivates audience.

Accuracy of the information: All information is clear, appropriate, and correct. Clear evidence of understanding and communicating content. 

Composition: Video is well planned with smooth transitions, timing and edits. Sound is balanced and easy to hear. All sound and visual elements coincide with the video's message.

For more information

If you have questions about this video contest, please contact Sarah Wickersham at Sarah.Wickersham@scwa.ca.gov.

About the Russian River Watershed Association

The Russian River Watershed Association is a coalition of ten cities, counties, and special districts in the Russian River watershed that have come together to coordinate regional programs for clean water, fisheries restoration, and watershed enhancement. The Russian River Watershed Association includes the cities of Cloverdale, Cotati, Healdsburg, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, and Ukiah; the Town of Windsor; the County of Mendocino; the County of Sonoma; and Sonoma Water.