STATE-FISH ART Contest

1. STATE-FISH ART Contest

2. For better than 23 years, Wildlife Forever has been working to ensure healthy sustainable populations of all kinds of fish and wildlife. With successful conservation projects in every state, no matter which species is your favorite, chances are Wildlife Forever has been there to help. • Wildlife Forever's grassroots conservation projects fall into four categories: • Fish and Wildlife Management: Wildlife Forever has been involved in countless species re-introductions, bringing fish and wildlife back to the places they were once found. • Habitat: Loss of living space is perhaps the greatest challenge facing both fish and wildlife. Millions of acres of wetlands and habitat have been conserved across 34 states with the help of Wildlife Forever members and donors. • Education: Wildlife Forever leads the nation in educating the public about the devastation caused by invasive species and enlisting their help to prevent their spread. Our visionary conservation education programs for children include the State-Fish Art Contest, the Critter Books pocket guide series and a 14 lesson CD-ROM Curriculum. • and Research: Every Wildlife Forever project is based on the solid scientific knowledge of biologists. Wildlife Forever is at the forefront of research efforts to more precisely understand the complexities of fish and wildlife.

3. Channel Bass

4. The Channel Bass • Common Names red drum, redfish, spot-tail bass, red bass, red dorse, school drum, • puppy drum • Identifying Features Channel bass have a copper-red body with one or more black spots on • the tail. • TYPICAL ADULT • Length Up to 27 inches • Weight Up to 40 pounds (sometimes as big as 95 pounds) • Life span Up to 20 or more years • Habitat Juvenile channel bass are found inshore, in bays and channels off the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. As the juvenile grows to adult, around age 4, it prefers colder temperatures and moves back to the oceans. • Feeding Behavior Channel bass feed on crustaceans, fish, and mollusks. • Reproductive Behavior WHEN: Summer or fall • PREFERRED WATER TEMPERATURE: About 75°F • HOW: The channel bass migrate out of estuaries (water where a river meets the sea) and lagoons into deeper water near the mouths of bays and inlets. The female broadcasts eggs randomly and the male fertilizes them.

5. The General Assembly of 1971 designated the Channel Bass (Red Drum) as the official State Salt Water Fish.  • Channel Bass usually occur in great supply along the Tar Heel coastal waters and have been found to weigh up to 75 pounds although most large ones average between 30 and 40 pounds.

6. Did you know? • Female channel bass can lay over a million eggs when they spawn.

7. Completed portfolios must be postmarked by March 31and include: • An entry form affixed to the back of your artwork  (no staples!!!) • 1-page essay with your name and address  • Your original artwork

8. ENTRIES ARE GROUPED INTO THREE CATEGORIES • GRADES 4-6 • GRADES 7-9 • GRADES 10-12

9. Awards & Prizes • In mid-April, near Earth Day, a panel of judges composed of wildlife artists, outdoor writers, fisheries specialists and national celebrities select one winning artwork for each category from each state.  The winners are all displayed at the annual EXPO and on this website. • The winners are honored at the annual STATE-FISH ART EXPO each summer. Each young artist, that attends the EXPO, is individually recognized on stage for their creativity and hard work as they receive their award and other prizes…

10. The Annual STATE-FISH ART EXPO • JUNE 15 & 16, 2011 • Little Rock, Arkansas • Central Arkansas Nature Center

11. Sample Art Work • Go to http://www.wildlifeforever.org/contest • View last Year’s Winners at http://www.wildlifeforever.org/contest/2011winners

12. Last Year Fairmont had Four Winners 7-9 • 1st Place Terrie L. • 3rd Place Crystal G. 10-12 • 1st Place Michael G. • 2nd Place Ny’Ree

13. FHS ENTRYS