Teaching children about wildlife at a young age is very important! And to celebrate the upcoming Endangered Species Day on May 21st, the Endangered Species Coalition is holding an art day contest to give students the change to show off their artistic ability, along with their knowledge of the threatened species.

The nationwide Endangered Species Day Art contest provides students with an opportunity to learn about endangered species and express their knowledge and support through artwork. The contest is organized by 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.

Endangered Species Day is a celebration of our nation’s wildlife and wild places. Started in 2006 by the United States Congress, Endangered Species Day is an opportunity to learn about endangered species. The art contest is an integral part of the fifth annual national Endangered Species Day, May 21, 2010. The contest’s winner will be honored with their name engraved on a special trophy designed by a gifted young artist, Meredith Graf of New Orleans, LA and will also be recognized at a reception in Washington, D.C. in May, 2010.

Artwork should highlight one or more land- and/or ocean-dwelling endangered species—mammal, reptile, amphibian, bird, fish, plant, and/or invertebrate (e.g., insect, spider, snail, coral, crustacean or clam)—found in the United States. Entrants are encouraged to depict species that are found in their region. Entrants may wish to choose from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Spotlight Species.

Winners are chosen in four grade categories (K-2; 3-6; 7-9; and 10-12).

The deadline to enter is March 26, so encourage your communities' schools to get involved!

Click here for all the details and for contest rules.