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Youth Invited to “Connect, Create and Celebrate" Art Contest

This year the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is launching the “Get to Know  Contest” for the first time across the United States.  The goal of the  contest is to engage the power of art to help youth feel more connected  with nature. Youth, 19 and under, are eligible to enter the contest until  July 16 by submitting original works of art, writing, photography, video,  or music inspired by their natural world. We invite all youth to  Connect…Create…and Celebrate with the Get to Know Contest.

Founded by Canadian wildlife artist Robert Bateman, the Get to Know  Contest launched in Canada in 2000 to encourage youth to get outdoors and  get to know their neighbors of other species. Bateman believes that having  students learn local species’ names and characteristics will create  increased awareness and understanding of wildlife.

Over the past twelve years, hundreds of thousands of young Canadians have  participated. In 2009, the Get to Know Contest was launched in California  with the support of the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife  Service, and the National Wildlife Federation. After two very successful  years, the contest is launching nationally across the U.S. this year.

The Get to Know Program, with the support of several national partners, is  hosting a series of events throughout April and May to kick off the  contest. Events are being held in Washington D.C, Atlanta, Denver,  Houston, Los Angeles, Seattle, Anchorage, and Morrison (Tennessee). The Anchorage event will be held Saturday April 21st during the Anchorage Kids  Day event at the Dena’ina Convention Center from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.

In addition to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, partners of the contest  in the United States are the U.S. Forest Service, National Wildlife  Federation, National Recreation and Park Association, Association of Zoos  and Aquariums, Wildlife Habitat Council, Wildlife Forever, Outdoor Afro  and the Get to Know Program.

Art, writing, photography, video, and music entries can be submitted  online at http://www.get-to-know.org/contest/us/ between now and July 16th, 2012. More information about the contest or Get to Know Program is available by contacting Mary Krupa-Clark at mclark@gettoknow.ca, 250-980-3969.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others  to conserve, protect, and  Enhance  fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing  benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov. Connect with our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/usfws, follow our tweets at www.twitter.com/usfwshq, watch our YouTube Channel at
 http://www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at  http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwshq