Speak-Off Contest
The CARCD Speak-Off 2026
A statewide student speech competition connecting the next generation of conservation leaders to the land and to each other.
Three Rounds. One Stage.
Round One
Local Video Submission
Submission deadline is September 30th.
Students submit a 3-5 minute recorded speech through a simple online form, linked below. There is no travel required, or high-pressure stage. It will be you, your ideas, and what you know about your local lands.
We here at the Amador RCD can help connect you to topic resources and everything you need to get started. The topic this year is...
What are the different effects that native vs. non-native invasive plants have on our ecosystems, and why does it matter to the work RCDs do?
Use the submission form link below to submit your video to CARCD by the deadline. Local winner will receive prizes for their work.
| Local Winners | Prize Amount |
|---|---|
| First Place | $150 |
| Second Place | $100 |
| Third Place | $75 |
Submission Form
Round Two
Regional Virtual Round
Local round winners advance to compete live in a virtual regional round. You'll present your speech in real time to a panel of judges and fellow participants from across your region. Same topic, but a live delivery. This will be the opportunity to publicly speak to a live audience of peers.
| Regional Winners | Prize Amount |
|---|---|
| First Place | $500 |
| Second Place | $250 |
| Third Place | $125 |
Round Three
Statewide - CARCD Annual Conference
Regional winners will go to Sacramento to compete live and in person at the CARCD 81st Annual Conference. This is the main stage: a statewide audience of conservation professionals, district leaders, and peers from every corner of California. Finalists present their speeches for top recognition as California's leading student conservation voice.
| Statewide Winners | Prize Amount |
|---|---|
| First Place | $1,000 |
| Second Place | $400 |
| Third Place | $100 |
Amador Resource Conservation District Staff are available for students if they have questions or are in need of additional resources. If support is requested, please email info@amadorrcd.org for requests.
The list of resources below is by no means comprehensive; however, these articles provide good starting points for developing your speech’s outline and supporting details.
1. UC ANR "The Real Dirt" Blog, Native vs Non-Native Plants
3. UC Master Gardener Program Statewide Blog, Invasive Plants: What They Are and Why They Matter
4. UC ANR, Invasive plants and California gardens
5. Adubon, What is the Difference Between Native, Non-native, and Invasive Plants?
6. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, What's in a name? Non-native species not the same as invasive
7. Riverside-Corona Resource Conservation District, Non-Native Plants
8. State of California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Native Platns and Invasive Species
9. Nevada County Resource Conservation District, Invasive Species
10. Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District, What's the difference between native, non-native, and invasive plants?
11. National Park Service, Native Plants, Non-native Plants, and Invasive Species