The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) invites young artists and aspiring biologists to enter the California Invasive Species Art Contest. “Don’t Let it Loose!” is the theme of the contest this year and the deadline for submissions is May 5.
Students in grades two through 12 are eligible to enter the contest. Submissions should depict invasive species that might be released into California’s waters, parks, and wild lands.
Entries should also include a message written by the artist discussing why releasing invasive species into the wild can potentially harm California’s native plants and animals. Submissions may also include descriptions of species that are commonly released.
The California Invasive Species Art Contest accepts forms of media including drawings, paintings, animations, comic strips, and videos. Winners are chosen in three age divisions: grades two through four, five through eight, and nine through 12. Winners from each division will have their work displayed on CDFW’s webpage. Judges will choose one entry out of the winners to receive the Invasive Species Program Choice Award.
The contest is sponsored by CDFW’s Invasive Species Program as a part of the 2017 California Invasive Species Action Week, which is June 3 through 11. The goal of Action Week is to increase public awareness of invasive species issues.
The entry form for the California Invasive Species Art Contest can be found at wildlife.ca.gov/CISAW. The deadline for submissions is May 5. Entries may be submitted by email or regular mail.
For more info on CDFW’s Invasive Species Program, visit wildlife.ca.gov/conservation/invasives.
This article appears in Mar 30 – Apr 6, 2017.