Androscoggin Land Trust and the Auburn Public Library plan to offer an amateur poetry contest, Nature in Poetry, to celebrate the conservation of the natural world in this art form.

Contestants are asked to be inspired and celebrate conservation and clean water in the poetry form of their choice.

Original poems will be judged in the following age categories: 10 and younger, 11-13, 14-17, 18-22, 23-55 and 56 and older. There will be winners in each category.

According to a news release from the library, the contest will run through July 19 and is open to all residents in the Androscoggin Land Trust service region. Submissions will be accepted in English and/or the poet’s primary language; the deadline for submission is 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 19.

When submitting, include name, contact (email and/or phone), and age category. Entries will be accepted via email at info@androscogginlandtrust.org, or via mail to Androscoggin Land Trust, P.O. Box 3145, Auburn, ME 04212.

On Thursday, July 28, at 3 p.m., join the trust at the library at 49 Spring St. for a short presentation on the Clean Water Act in celebration of its 50th anniversary. There will also be poetry readings, the announcement of the winners of the contest, an introduction to Writing the Land — a special poetry project in which the trust is involved — and a surprise announcement for poetry winners.

This contest and program is presented as part of the library’s Adult Summer Reading Program, Oceans of Possibilities, wherein participants spend time exploring Maine’s waterways.

For more information, visit auburnpubliclibrary.org, or call the Reference Desk at 207-333-6640, ext. 4.