Endangered Species Youth Art Contest opens

K-12 Students of all Ages Encouraged to Enter by March 1

Submitted by Endangered Species Coalition

Today, the Endangered Species Coalition announced the opening of its annual youth art contest. Elementary, middle and high school teachers and their students are encouraged to submit artwork by the March 1 deadline.

The Saving Endangered Species Youth Art Contest is an integral part of the annual Endangered Species Day, celebrated the third Friday of May each year (May, 15, 2020).

Started in 2006, by the United States Congress, Endangered Species Day is a celebration of the nation's wildlife and wild places.

The Youth Art Contest provides K-12 students residing in the United States with an opportunity to learn about endangered animal and plant species and express their knowledge and support through artwork. Young artists who are home schooled or those who participate in youth groups are also eligible to submit their art. More than 1,500 young artists from throughout the country entered the contest last year.

Saving Endangered Species Youth Art contest entries should depict a land or ocean-dwelling species that either lives in or migrates through the United States and its waters and has been placed on the threatened/endangered species list, or a previously listed species that is now recovered. Artwork must be submitted electronically by March 1, 2020.

A prestigious panel of artists, photographers and conservationists will judge the artwork. 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 (from Chartpak Inc.). In addition, one grand prize winner will be honored at a reception in Washington, D.C. in May 2020 and also receive a special art lesson from a professional artist. Last year's winners can be seen here: Winners of 2019 Saving Endangered Species Youth Art Contest Announced

Visit www.endangeredspeciesday.org for more information, including complete contest guidelines, submission details, an art lesson plan, along with the 2019 contest winners and semifinalists' artwork. If you have any questions, contact Jeanne Dodds, Endangered Species Coalition Creative Engagement Director, jdodds@endangered.org

The Endangered Species Coalition is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to stop the human-caused extinction of our nation's at-risk species, to protect and restore their habitats, and to guide these fragile populations along the road to recovery. The Endangered Species Coalition works to safeguard and strengthen the Endangered Species Act, a law that enables every citizen to act on behalf of threatened and endangered wildlife - animals, fish, plants, and insects - and the wild places they call home.