The goal of this competition for grades K-5 is to generate knowledge of and appreciation for Georgia’s biological diversity. The popular initiative is sponsored by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the State Botanical Garden of Georgia and The Environmental Resources Network, or TERN, friends group of DNR’s Wildlife Conservation Section.

The 2021-2022 theme – Nature’s Fascinating Engineers – highlights the amazing engineering feats performed by native animals and plants. Beavers build dams, birds make nests, dandelions produce parachute-like seeds and gopher tortoises dig burrows. These structures help species survive, and they are often imitated by humans through biomimicry.

As inspiration for their artwork, students can look for plants, birds and other wildlife in their backyard or schoolyard. Even if neighborhood greenspace is scarce, there’s always a world of insects and plants that can be found and observed. City, county and state parks are great places to discover nature, too – and most people have at least one park in their community.

After creating artwork based on this year’s theme and according to contest rules, participants will enter their drawings and paintings at the local school level. Top school-level entries then proceed to the state contest at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens. First-, second- and third-place winners will be chosen for four divisions: kindergarten, first and second grade, third and fourth grade, and fifth grade. The deadline for schools to submit digital photos of state-level entries is April 8, 2022.

The top 12 state-level winners’ artwork will be showcased on the DNR Wildlife Resources Division and State Botanical Garden social media sites. Also, as a special perk, each state-level winner’s teacher and one parent will be eligible to receive a free DNR wildlife license plate, courtesy of TERN. For contest rules, awards, entry forms and other information, visit georgiawildlife.com/PosterContest.

DNR’s Wildlife Conservation Section is charged with conserving animals that aren’t legally fished for or hunted, plus native plants and natural habitats. Only a deep commitment to these natural resources will ensure their existence for future generations. The Wildlife Conservation Section depends primarily on fundraisers such as sales of eagle and monarch butterfly license plates, annual renewal of those and other wildlife tags – such as the hummingbird design – the Give Wildlife a Chance state income tax checkoff and direct donations.

Learn more at georgiawildlife.com/about/what-we-do, or call Wildlife Conservation Section offices in Social Circle (706-557-3213), Forsyth (478-994-1438) or Brunswick (912-264-7218).

GIVE WILDLIFE A CHANCE POSTER CONTEST

• Theme: Nature’s Fascinating Engineers
• Emphasis: Generate knowledge of and appreciation for Georgia wildlife and their habitats.
• Teacher instructions: Have students design artwork that includes native wildlife – animals, plants or both. Hold a school-level contest. First-place winners in each age division advance to the state-level contest.
• Deadline for state-level contest entries: April 8, 2022.
• Top 12 state-level winners’ artwork will be showcased on DNR Wildlife Resources Division and State Botanical Garden of Georgia social media sites. 
• Details: georgiawildlife.com/PosterContest