Keep Wildlife Wild needs youth artist submissions

The 2024 Keep Wildlife Wild poster contest is now open. Students in fourth, fifth and sixth grades, enrolled in public, private, parochial or home schools in Wisconsin, are eligible to participate.

The Keep Wildlife Wild program began in 2014, to spread the word about the shared role in keeping all wildlife healthy in its natural habitat. The contest’s goal is to create a poster that teaches the importance of enjoying and observing wildlife in the wild, and not keeping wildlife in homes or as pets.

During the warmer months of spring and summer, the frequency of human and wildlife encounters increases, especially those involving young wild animals. While most of these encounters are harmless, there are times when well-intentioned people disrupt wildlife, because they mistake a lone baby animal for an orphan.

Judging will take place in February. Those who submitted designs will be notified, by email, of winners in March. The DNR will also announce winners in a statewide news release in April.

The poster entry must contain the words: “Keep Wildlife Wild 2024” and follow the theme of “Safe in their home.” Whether it is a rabbit nest in a garden, a robin nest in the branches of a tree, or a fawn’s hiding spot in the long grass of a field, each of their homes is unique and helps keep them safe. Young artists are encouraged to design their poster with this idea in mind.

All posters must consist of original artwork of Wisconsin native wildlife; must fit an 8.5x 11-inch sheet of paper; and must be submitted individually – no team creations.

All submissions must be received electronically, via email, or by mail, and must include the student’s entry form and artwork, by Feb. 16, 2024. Submit entries to: Wisconsin Keep Wildlife Wild Poster Design Contest, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Attn: Taylor Czyscon, P.O. Box 100, Friendship, WI 53934, or to KeepWildlifeWild@wisconsin.gov.