Bees do more than just sting. In fact, the honey-makers, along with other pollinating insects, greatly benefit the environment.

Local students were asked to highlight those benefits in the 40th annual Carbon County Conservation District Poster Contest.The contest gives students a chance to convey their thoughts about soil, water and related natural resource issues through art."Local Heroes Your Hardworking Pollinators" was the 2015 contest theme, and awards were handed out Thursday night at the Carbon County Courthouse."I was really impressed to see how the kids interpreted this theme because they get information from different sources like the Internet, art teachers or science teachers," said Audrey Wargo, Carbon County Conservation District secretary. "These posters take time and they're impressive, but the fact that the students are participating is what means the most. They are doing something other than sitting in front of the television or computer."Around 1,000 plants grown for food, beverages, fibers, spices and medicines need to be pollinated to produce goods. In the United States, pollination by honeybees and other insects helps to produce $40 billion worth of products each year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.Posters were evaluated on conservation message, visual effectiveness, originality and universal appeal.The number of submissions varies depending on grade level, but Wargo said there is always a nice mix of repeat participants and those entering for the first time.First-place winners move on to the state round of competition."I'm proud of Carbon County's reputation in these contests," Wargo said. "Winners at the state level advance to the national competition, and we had three of our students get that far last year."Madison Martinez of Palmerton won second place in the seventh- through ninth-grade category of the 2014 "Dig Deeper Secrets of the Soils" national poster contest.Following her opening remarks Thursday, Wargo announced the winners of the 2015 county poster contest.• Kindergarten and first grade: Jack Decker of Jim Thorpe, first place; Riley Lawless of Palmerton, second place; Olivia Bierman of Jim Thorpe, third place; Jadon Reese of Jim Thorpe, honorable mention; and Arianna Lichsteiner of Palmerton; honorable mention.• Second and third grade: Delia Winas of Palmerton, first place; Gavin Kress of Palmerton, second place; and Elizabeth Burkit of Palmerton; third place.• Fourth through sixth grade: Sadie Trubilla of Our Lady of the Angels Academy, first place; Callie Hayman of Lehighton, second place; Mary Sarmir of Palmerton, third place; Emma Martinez of Palmerton, honorable mention; and Andrew Conrad Jr. of Lehighton; honorable mention.• Seventh through ninth grade: Madison Martinez, of Palmerton, first place; Natalie Matsko of Lehighton, second place; Caitlene Santos of Palmerton, third place; Jacob Martinez of Palmerton, honorable mention; and Brennah Bates of Palmerton, honorable mention.Trubilla, Madison Martinez and Jacob Martinez are also past winners.