State Fish Art Contest calls for entries

Texas students in grades 4 through 12 are invited to enter the ninth annual Wildlife Forever State-Fish Art Contest.

Contestants must create an illustration of an officially recognized state fish and write a one-page composition about its behavior, habitat and conservation.

One Texas winner will be selected from each of the three grade levels: 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12. Those winners will then compete at the national level for best of show and art of conversation stamp honors. Deadline for entries is March 31, 2007.

Texas entries are judged at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens. For details on the contest and how to enter, go to http:// www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishart.

“Wildlife Forever strongly believes conservation education will ultimately determine the future of our fish and wildlife heritage,” said Wildlife Forever President and CEO, Douglas H. Grann. “The State-Fish Art Contest is a fun and innovative way to introduce America’s youth to the wonders of our natural world.”

The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center is a facility of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department that incorporates a visitor center, educational programming and a production fish hatchery. It is located 75 miles east of Dallas and is open Tuesday through Sunday. For more information call (903)676-2277 or visit http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/ tffc.