The New Walden Writers Retreat and Environmental Arts Center announced a teen writing contest with two cash prize awards and publication of winning entries as prizes.

The Retreat is located on Addison Road in Prentiss and currently has a welcome center and nature trail.

The contest is open to grades 9-12 in the in Jeff Davis and Lawrence County schools and grades 2-6 in the Parachute Program. Writers may submit a short story between 250 and 1000 words on the topic of animals and/or nature.

Stories should be submitted to writing teachers at the schools by March 15 or email to truva96@gmail.com. Winning entries will be selected and writers notified by May 1. Cash awards for first, second and third place winners will be given in the amounts of $100, $75 and $50.

Co-sponsors of the contest are the MS Dept. of Environmental Quality and the Jeff Davis and Lawrence County Soil and Water Conservation Districts. For more info call Hope Daley at 601-792-8601.