U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Partners with the "Get to Know" Art Program

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service partnered with the Get to Know Program to launch the 2012 “Get to Know Your Wild Neighbors” Art Contest on Monday, April 30, 2012, at the U.S. Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C.

The contest is open to children ages 19 years old and younger. Reinforcing the importance of nature, the contest invites youth to get outside and create original works of art, writing, photography, videography and music inspired by nature.

Participating in the launch to highlight the Youth in the Great Outdoors initiative included National Conservation Training Center Director Jay Slack; Division of Education Outreach Division Chief, Steve Chase; Career Awareness Branch Nate Hawley; and Biologist Chelsea Corcoran/Quadt. Approximately 250 third and six graders from several local schools attended the event.

Corcoran/Quadt presented an activity to inform students about the career of an endangered species biologist. Students executed a population estimate survey based on four federally endangered species and were able to see and touch a confiscated stuffed Hawksbill Sea Turtle. By conducting a survey to estimate the number of endangered animals left in an area, students experienced first-hand the real work that Service staff perform on national wildlife refuges.

The "Get to Know Your Wild Neighbors” Art Contest launch in D.C. is one of seven launches in the U.S. Artist Robert Bateman originated the program in Canada. Learn more about the contest via the Get to Know Program's Web site.

 -- published --  May 2, 2012
 -- photo credit --  Steve Chase/USFWS

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