Students are encouraged to recognize the value of Louisiana’s wetlands through the annual Keep Your Eye on the Prize contest. The America’s WETLAND Foundation is sponsoring the art, photo and poetry contest for Louisiana students.
Participants may write an essay discussing the subject: “How Can Louisiana Adapt to Coastal Land Loss and What Changes Should be Made?”
Art and photo entries should depict the topic: “Why Should the Area known as ‘America’s Wetland’ be Saved?”
Entries will be taken in four age groups: first and second grade; third through fifth grade; sixth through eighth grade; and ninth through 12th grade. Two overall winners will also be named. A $5,000 grant will be awarded to the class of winning students from the America’s WETLAND Conservation Corps. The award will be used for a wetland planting project along with a school visit by The Estuarians, the nine action hero mascots of the Campaign to Save Coastal Louisiana. The class will also participate in marsh plantings along coastal Louisiana during March and April.
“Part of the America’s WETLAND Foundation’s mission is educating school children about the value of our coastal wetlands and ways to adapt to the future,” said R. King Milling, foundation chairman. “We have seen students become increasingly more engaged as advocates for conservation and coastal stewardship, and we look forward to showcasing some of their creative ideas and providing them an opportunity to take the next step in saving America’s WETLAND.”
The contest is part of the America’s WETLAND Foundation’s 10-year anniversary celebration in 2012. Also supporting the project are the LSU AgCenter, the LSU Coastal Roots Program, Louisiana Science Teachers Association and Youth Wetlands Week.
The deadline to submit entries is Jan. 15 and winners will be named on World Wetlands Day, Feb. 2.
Entries can be submitted online at www.americaswetland.com.