Connecting Youth to Fisheries Conservation Through Art and the State-Fish Art™ Program

Connecting Youth to Fisheries Conservation Through Art and the State-Fish Art™ Program    

Entering its 14^th year, Wildlife Forever’s State-Fish Art Program uses art to catch the imagination of youth while teaching stewardship and fisheries conservation.   Across the United States educators, youth and parents are all being made aware of our aquatic resources

Educators can easily bring aquatic education into their classroom with the free Fish On! Lesson Plan (download or CD).   It is being utilized in private & public schools, home-schools, after-school programs, scouts, youth camps, art schools and many other venues, giving youth across the United States the opportunity to win national recognition and prizes while learning about aquatic habitats and conservation. 

To enter, youth create an original art illustration of their chosen state-fish AND a written essay on its behavior, habitat, and conservation needs.

Winning contestants from each state are selected in four grade categories, K-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12.  All contest participants receive a “Certificate of Participation”.  Winning designs are also featured on the official State-Fish Art website.  Each year, 1^st place winners of the State-Fish Art Contest are recognized for their outstanding artwork and essays at the National State-Fish Art EXPO.  They are personally recognized on stage and receive trophies, fishing tackle, and other great prizes.  Smokey Bear with the USDA Forest Service and our other partners help educate EXPO attendees about fisheries and aquatic conservation, the threat posed by invasive species to our natural resources and recreation opportunities to get outdoors. Going fishing at the EXPO is a first for many of the attendees!

“The State-Fish Art Contest is a fun and innovative way to introduce America’s youth, their educators and families to the aquatic world,” said Karen R Hollingsworth, Manager of Wildlife Forever’s State-Fish Art Program. “It is a great way to reach youth in both rural and urban settings and create that spark of conservation awareness.”

At the EXPO and the annual Art of Conservation™ Stamp Award winner is also unveiled.  Much like the way the federal government uses the proceeds from the federal duck stamp to fund wetlands conservation, sales of Wildlife Forever’s Art of Conservation™ stamps have funded conservation education and fishery projects across America.

Visit the State-Fish Art website at www.statefishart.org for complete details.