Students Invited to Participate in
Endangered Species Day Art Contest

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Endangered Species Coalition, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the Ogden Museum of Southern Art/ University of New Orleans are organizing an art contest to celebrate Endangered Species Day, the third Friday in May (May 21, 2010). Students from kindergarten through high school are invited to participate by creating artwork of an endangered species.

The art contest is an integral part of the fifth annual national Endangered Species Day, celebrated on and around May 21, 2010. Started in 2006 by the United States Congress, Endangered Species Day recognizes the importance of endangered species and educates the public about how to protect them.

"The Endangered Species Day art contest is particularly important, because today's youth have become out-of-touch with nature. Students may find it easier to recognize 'man-made' creatures, such as Pokémon characters, than real wildlife," stated Leda Huta, Executive Director of the Endangered Species Coalition. "Endeavors such as the art contest give students the opportunity to use their art skills to closely observe and learn about endangered animals and plants."

A national panel of highly-acclaimed artists and conservationists will judge the art works. Winners will be chosen in four age categories, from which one national winner will be selected. The winning artwork will be displayed at an exhibition at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art/ University of New Orleans in May 2010. One national winner will be honored at a reception in Washington, D.C. and have their name engraved on a special trophy designed and created by a gifted young artist, Meredith Graf of New Orleans, LA.

"I am thrilled and honored to be a part of Endangered Species Day," Ms. Graf said. "The protection of America's wildlife is extremely important to me."

Many conservation and educational organizations participate in Endangered Species Day including the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the Garden Clubs of America, the Girl Scouts of the U.S., the National Association of Biology Teachers, the National Science Teachers Association, National Wildlife Federation, National Audubon Society, Defenders of Wildlife and the Endangered Species Coalition.

For more information, please visit www.EndangeredSpeciesDay.org.

Endangered Species Coalition is a national network of hundreds of conservation, scientific, education, religious, sporting, outdoor recreation, humane, business and community groups across the country. Through public education, scientific information and citizen participation, we work to protect our nation's wildlife and wild places.
The ESC is a non-partisan coalition working with concerned citizens and decision makers from all parties to protect endangered species and habitat.

www.stopextinction.org