Artists K-8 Sought for Endangered-Species Postcard Contest

First posted on 10-08-2008

Getting discovered has never been easier for budding young artists. All they have to do is send a postcard to the Missouri Department of Conservation.

This is the second year for the Missouri Endangered Species Postcard Contest. Youngsters from kindergarten through eighth grade enter art focusing on endangered plants and animals and get recognition through a public display of all entries at the Missouri State Capitol Nov. 16 through 19.

Winning entries in four age-classes (grades K-2, 3-4, 5-6 and 7-8) will be printed as postcards and sold at Conservation Department Nature Shops. Proceeds will help conserve endangered plants’ and animals’ habitat.

The contest is intended to get kids thinking about the Show-Me State’s threatened flora and fauna. This year’s theme is “Ozark River and Stream Habitat – We gotta have it!” Suitable subjects for entries include the Ozark hellbender, running buffalo clover, the Niangua darter, the cerulean warbler and the golden mouse. Other endangered Ozarks plants and animals and full contest details are available at mdc.mo.gov/programs/es_walkrun/.

Entries can be drawn, painted or colored, but they must be on postcards or 4- by 6-inch index cards. Submit entries in envelopes to Endangered Species Postcard Contest, Lisa Backlesse, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180. Entries must be received by Nov. 7.

-Jim Low-