Entries for the 2023 Texas division of Wildlife Forever’s Fish Art Contest are being accepted until February 28 by the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC). Entries opened on September 28, according to a press release from Texas Parks and Wildlife.
The contest is open to Texas students in grades 4 to 12, who must submit one page of creative writing, an original illustration of a Texas wild fish, and a completed entry form. The contest is part of a national Wildlife Forever contest, with Texas winners being entered into the national contest, the press release shares.
Wildlife Forever is a nonprofit based in Minnesota, with conservation efforts in all 50 states.
A lesson plan is available for educators who wish to have their students enter the contest.
Kate Barkalow, education and interpretation coordinator for TFFC, shared that this is a unique opportunity for students in the state.
“We have a unique opportunity to celebrate the talents of our Texas students and the beauty of our diverse fish found in Texas,” Barkalow said in the press release. “In doing so, we also recognize the amazing efforts of our teachers and biologists who support them. To complete their piece of art, students research their fish, its habitat, and conservation efforts being made to protect the species, forging a connection between the student and fish.”
TFFC Director Tom Lang said the annual contest also helps students learn more about the resources that come from Texas fish and fisheries.
“The Fish Art Contest does a tremendous job of exposing students across Texas to the wonders of fish and fisheries resources through the nexus of art. We always look forward to this time of year when we are once again amazed by the outstanding work and artistic interpretations of these young Texans,” Lang shared in the press release.
Wildlife Forever is sponsoring the Fish Art Contest, and other sponsors include Bass Pro Shops, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Wonders of Wildlife, U.S. Forest Service, Western Native Trout Initiative, National Fish Habitat Partnership, and Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation.
State finalists and educators are invited to Free Fishing Day when the contest closes, according to Barkalow.
“The process comes full circle on Free Fishing Day at our Fish Tag Friendzy, where we invite state finalists, their families, and teachers to celebrate at Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center. Here they will see their fish in person, fish for the first time, and learn more about the efforts being made to conserve our freshwater resources. None of which would be possible without the help of our sponsors. We believe that through the Texas Fish Art Contest, a new generation of stewards is created,” Barkalow said in the press release.
The Fish Art program has been hosted for nearly 25 years, according to the Wildlife Forever website, and aims to share aquatic conservation with the youth of the country. Wildlife Forever also hosts the Songbird Art program, a similar art contest to share the conservation efforts of songbirds.
Texas youth can apply to the Fish Art Contest from now until February 28.