A new national art, writing, and photography contest for children and youth called “Get to Know” (Your Wild Neighbors) is being launched in the U.S. this April. Park and recreation agencies across the nation are invited to encourage children and youth to visit their local parks and using subjects they find in nature, to draw a picture, take a photo, make a video, write a post, or even compose some music, and enter the contest.
The Get to Know contest is an outgrowth of the highly successful nature and art contest begun by internationally famous wildlife artist Robert Bateman more than 12 years ago. The purpose of this nationwide contest is to encourage children and youth to simply “get to know” their wild neighbors—birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and plants, and to express their connection through the arts.
This year’s theme is in keeping with founder Robert Bateman’s original belief that caring for our environment begins with knowing the names of the wild plants and animals we find in our own community and our own wild places. Studies have shown that kids can recognize hundreds of corporate logos by a very early age, but can’t name ten species of plants or animals in their own backyard. In a recent conference call to sponsoring groups, Bateman, now age 82, said, “What is going to happen to the natural world if the next generation doesn’t care for it? We need to get back to the point where kids want to spend their free time outdoors with their friends, exploring nature.”
Organizers of the contest in Canada have seen that connecting with nature and the outdoors through art develops a deeper appreciation and understanding of wild living things. And the power of art helps youth connect with other youth who are using the creative arts to convey their passion and have their accomplishments celebrated.
Whether the environment kids in your communities can experience is a tiny pocket park or acres upon acres of forests and wetlands, this contest offers youth the opportunity to learn about and celebrate the living things that make up the world around them. Every entry will be acknowledged, and winners will receive all kinds of wild prizes, including an invitation to the week-long Get to Know Art & Nature Camp supported by Parks Canada, and the chance to have their entry appear in a 2013 national calendar produced with images of winning entries from this year’s contest.
On April 7, 2012, the Get to Know Contest will launch nationally across the United States and run 90 days, until July 16, 2012. All youth up to the age of 19 are eligible to enter. Park and recreation agencies in a number of U.S. cities will participate in or host launch events, including Los Angeles, Seattle, Anchorage, Denver, Washington, DC, and Atlanta. A number of agencies and national non-profit associations are sponsoring the GTK contest, including the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Wildlife Federation, Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Wildlife Habitat Council, the National Recreation and Park Association, Wildlife Forever, Outdoor Afro, and over 50 other organizational partners from coast to coast.
Park and recreation agencies in every community are invited to sponsor and promote the Get to Know contest. There is no fee, and online contest promotion materials will be available to organizing agencies. Learn how your agency can take part in the Get to Know contest.
Richard J. Dolesh is NRPA Vice President for Conservation and Parks.