4th grader Nina Wang of Pleasanton wins the first Tri-Valley wide Water Conservation Art Contest

Zone 7 announced 17 finalists and three winners at May Zone 7 Board meeting

The Tri-Valley's water agencies - Zone 7 Water Agency (Zone 7), the cities of Livermore and Pleasanton, California Water Service Company (Cal Water), and Dublin San Ramon Services District (DSRSD), are excited to announce the winner of the 2025 Tri-Valley Water Conservation Art Contest: Nina Wang, a 4th grade student from Alisal Elementary School in Pleasanton. The contest, open to all K-12 students from Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, and the Dougherty Valley area of San Ramon, had over 240 submissions this year. After narrowing down the submissions, 17 finalists who best represented the theme: “Habitat Heroes: Transforming Lawns into Vibrant Native Gardens,” were chosen, and voting opened to the community from May 1st - 10th. Over 1,600 Tri-Valley community members cast their vote for their favorite student artwork and Miss Wang’s project, Let's transform lawn into habitat garden,” received the most votes.
 
Miss Wang drew 27 individual photos and then animated them to create a story of a Tri-Valley resident who is inspired to transform their traditional lawn for a water-wise garden using California native plant species. Her piece highlights the benefits of replacing water-wasting grass with water-saving native plants, which help sustain the ecosystems and wildlife inside them.


 
All finalists were invited to the May Zone 7 board meeting with the partner agencies in attendance, where the winner and runner-ups were announced and prizes were distributed. 

  • 1st runner up: Viraj Gupta, 1st grade, Livermore. 
  • 2nd runner up: Reva Gupta, 9th grade, Dublin. 
  • 3rd runner up: Elvy Beltran, 8th grade, Livermore. 
 View the finalists’ artwork at zone7water.com/post/tri-valley-water-conservation-art-contest



Inspiring students as water champions
The Tri-Valley Water Conservation Art Contest aligns closely with Zone 7 Water Agency’s broader educational program to empower students as stewards of California’s water resources. Reimagined for the 2023-24 school year to reengage schools in proactive water education, the Zone 7 Water Academy introduces interactive, standards-aligned lessons taught by certified educators that inspire lifelong water champions. From Transitional Kindergarten to high school, these lessons provide hands-on, academically rigorous activities, including water cycle models and stories about saving water, to spark curiosity and understanding. The art contest extends this mission, providing students with a creative outlet to apply their knowledge and advocacy while fostering a shared commitment to sustainability and equipping young leaders to address pressing water challenges today and in the future.

About the Tri-Valley’s Water Agencies
Zone 7 Water Agency treats and manages water supplies for eastern Alameda County, including the city limits of Livermore, Pleasanton, and Dublin and the Dougherty Valley area of San Ramon. Drinking water service is provided to these regions by the Tri-Valley’s water retailers – Cal Water, the cities of Livermore and Pleasanton, and DSRSD.