Deadline for State-Fish Art Contest approaches

Athens, Texas - The March 31 deadline for Texas students in grades 4 through 12 to enter the ninth annual Wildlife Forever State-Fish Art Contest is near.

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

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 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 conservation stamp honors.

Entries must be postmarked by March 31, 2007, to be eligible for judging.

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 southeast of Dallas and is open Tuesday through Sunday. For more information call 903-676- 2277 or visit http:// www.tpwd.state.tx.us/tffc.