Youth artists sought for endangered species contest

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Parents, teachers and scout leaders are asked to encourage youngsters to participate in the annual Endangered Species Day Youth Art Contest.

The art contest is part of the eighth annual national Endangered Species Day, to be celebrated on May 17.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and numerous conservation organizations will observe Endangered Species Day. This year commemorates the 40-year anniversary of the Endangered Species Act.

Endangered Species Day is a celebration of the nation’s rarest plant and animal species. The Youth Art Contest provides students from kindergarten to high school with an opportunity to learn about threatened and endangered species and express their knowledge and support through artwork.

Young artists who are home schooled and participate in youth groups are also eligible to submit their art. Previous winners have come from California, Minnesota, New Jersey, Louisiana and as far away as Alaska. Entries must be postmarked by March 15.

Winners will be chosen in four categories: K-Grade 2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8 and Grades 9-12, and will receive plaques and art supply gift packs. In addition, one grand prize winner will be honored with their name engraved on a special trophy and receive a round-trip flight to Washington, D.C. with one guardian to attend a reception in May.

The Youth Art Contest is organized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Endangered Species Coalition, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the International Child Art Foundation. For more information, including judging criteria and an entry form, visit http://www.endangeredspeciesday.org/.

Many of the Service’s field and regional offices will be hosting events in their communities and providing unique programs to visitors on endangered species conservation in celebration of Endangered Species Day.

For more information on how you can find an event near you, please visit http://www.fws.gov/endangered/ESDay/index.html.