Deadline extended, activities added in Fish Art Contest

Good news for students entering the Nebraska Fish Art Contest, the deadline has been extended and additional activities are available to them.

Students in kindergarten through 12^th grade can discover the outdoors by participating in the contest.

The 2024 contest, sponsored by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Wildlife Forever and Bass Pro Shops, now is accepting entries through March 31, 2024. Enter at statefishart.org.

This free international art and writing competition gives young people the opportunity to highlight their artistic talents while learning about fish, fishing and aquatic conservation. Participants can win prizes and recognition in Nebraska and internationally.

Young artists create an original illustration of any fish species and submit a one-page creative writing detailing their species habitat and efforts to conserve it.

Entries are categorized in four grade levels: K-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12. Educators nationwide use Fish On!, the State-Fish Art Lesson Plan, integrating the disciplines of science and art. Winners will be announced in May.

The additional new activities include the following Art of Conservation Lesson Plans: What is a Fish, Fish in My State, Fish Adaptation, Food Webs, Wetlands: Nature’s Filters, and Rivers: Shaping the Land.

“The Nebraska Fish Art Contest was especially popular last year, with students creating very creative and beautiful pieces works of art,” said Larry Pape, Game and Parks aquatic education specialist.