WHITE BEAR LAKE, MN – March 31st is the deadline to enter the 2021 Art of Conservation® Fish Art Contest, supported by Title Sponsor Bass Pro Shops. The international competition is open to youth in Kindergarten through 12th grade. You must enter to win!

The Fish Art Contest was developed by Wildlife Forever in 1999 to inspire the next generation of conservation stewards. Young artists from around the world compete for prizes and international recognition while learning about fish, fishing, and aquatic habitat.

“The Johnny Morris Foundation is a leader in the conservation movement. We are proud to support innovative programs, like the Fish Art Contest, that connect young people to the world of fishing and teach the importance of conserving the great outdoors,” remarked Misty Mitchell, Director of Conservation Programs.

To compete, young artists will create an original illustration of any species from the Official Fish List, found at www.FishArt.org. A brief creative writing piece answering the question, “why do you think it is important to protect our lakes, rivers, estuaries and coastlines,” is also required and awarded for contestants in 4th through 12th grade.

Julia Luger, Education and Communication Director at Wildlife Forever said, “The Fish Art Contest is shaping the future of conservation. While participating in this program, youth develop deep connections to the natural world through art and writing. The Art of Conservation inspires a commitment to protect our aquatic resources.”

Winners will be announced in May and celebrated this summer at the Virtual Fish Art Expo. Participants can win prizes from Bass Pro Shops, the USDA Forest Service, Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, National Fish Habitat Partnership, Western Native Trout Initiative, World Fish Migration Foundation and more! Full details at www.FishArt.org

About the Artwork: 2020 Second Place National Winner, 7th-9th grade division. Artist: JanetLou G., Massachusetts.

About the Fish Art Contest: The award-winning Wildlife Forever Fish Art™ Contest, with support from Title Sponsor Bass Pro Shops, the USDA Forest Service and Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, brings children, art and aquatic conservation together! The annual contest reaches thousands of youth each year. New distance learning resources allow students to participate from home or classroom and complement a wide array of educational programming. To enter, young artists create an original illustration of any fish from the Official Fish list and written words detailing its habitat, and efforts to conserve it. Entries are categorized in four grade levels: K-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12. Educators nationwide utilize Fish On!, the full-color Fish Art Lesson Plan, integrating the disciplines of science and art. Entries are due postmarked or emailed by March 31st each year. www.fishart.org.

About Wildlife Forever: Our mission is to conserve America's wildlife heritage through conservation education, preservation of habitat and management of fish and wildlife. Wildlife Forever is a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to investing resources on the ground. Recent audits reveal that 94% of every dollar supports our award-winning conservation programs. Please, Join Today and learn more about the Fish Art Contest®, Clean Drain Dry Initiative™ and Prairie City USA® at www.WildlifeForever.org.

About Bass Pro Shops®: Bass Pro Shops is North America’s premier outdoor and conservation company. Founded in 1972 when avid young angler Johnny Morris began selling tackle out of his father’s liquor store in Springfield, Missouri, today the company provides customers with unmatched offerings spanning premier destination retail, outdoor equipment manufacturing, world-class resort destinations and more. In 2017 Bass Pro Shops acquired Cabela’s to create a “best-of-the-best” experience with superior products, dynamic locations and outstanding customer service. Bass Pro Shops also operates White River Marine Group, offering an unsurpassed collection of industry-leading boat brands, and Big Cedar Lodge, America’s Premier Wilderness Resort. Under the visionary conservation leadership of Johnny Morris, Bass Pro Shops is a national leader in protecting habitat and introducing families to the outdoors and has been named by Forbes as “one of America’s Best Employers."

Contact: Julia Luger, JLuger@WildlifeForever.org