BROOKLYN CENTER, MN – Wildlife Forever’s State-Fish Art Contest is proud to announce Monika Daniels, a talented 12th grader from Alexandria, Louisiana, as the first-ever “Invader Crusader” winner for her stunning Invasive Species art entry in the 2012 Silent Invader Category.
Monika Daniels’s winning painting showing a largemouth bass (Lousiana’s state fish) and zebra mussels will appear on billboards nationwide to alert boaters about invasive aquatic species. Submitted photo
The “Silent Invaders” category was created to introduce children to the problem of invasive species in our nation’s waters. The national winner is honored as the year’s “Invader Crusader.” For 2012, both the art and essay had to include the largemouth bass or Chinook salmon as the featured fish species, and the zebra mussel or elodea as the invasive species.
“Monika is not only an extremely talented artist, but her entry of a largemouth bass swimming in waters infested with zebra mussels spotlights the battle we are facing with invasive species,” said Karen Hollingsworth, State-Fish Art Manager. “We are extremely excited to have her as our first-ever Invader Crusader to help with the critical task of introducing kids to the nationwide epidemic of invasive species in our rivers, lakes and streams.”
Monika’s art will be used on highway billboards by Wildlife Forever’s Threat Campaign™ alerting boaters to CLEAN DRAIN DRY when leaving any body of water to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species such as zebra mussels.
About the State-Fish Art Contest
The Wildlife Forever State-Fish Art Contest™ is in its 14th year of bringing children, art and aquatic conservation together. To enter, young artists create an original illustration of any official state fish and a written essay detailing its behavior, 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 State-Fish Art Lesson Plan, combining the disciplines of science and art. This is available on CD, at no charge and for download. Entries are due by March 31 each year. For details, and to view all the 2012 winning images, please visit www.StateFishArt.org.
About Wildlife Forever
Located in Brooklyn Center, MN Wildlife Forever’s mission is to conserve America’s wildlife heritage through conservation education, preservation of habitat and management of fish and wildlife. As the nonprofit conservation arm of the North American Hunting Club and North American Fishing Club, Wildlife Forever represents the conservation interests of 1.3 million members. Learn more at www.WildlifeForever.org.
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Congratulations to Monika Harris, a very talented young painter!