2023 Keep Wildlife Wild poster contest now open

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced that its 2023 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 our 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.

The Keep Wildlife Wild poster contest is a fun way for kids to help spread the important message to keep wildlife wild. The DNR encourages students to learn how they can help keep wild animals in Wisconsin safe and healthy by visiting the Keep Wildlife Wild webpage (https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/WildlifeHabitat/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 and Facebook post during the sixth annual Keep Wildlife Wild Week in April.

All submissions must be received electronically via email or by mail and must include the student’s entry form and artwork by 5 p.m. on Feb. 17, 2023.

Entries may be mailed to Wisconsin Keep Wildlife Wild Poster Design Contest, Department of Natural Resources, Attn: Taylor Czyscon, PO Box 100 Friendship, WI 53934. Entries may be emailed to keepwildlifewild@wisconsin.gov.

Poster contest rules

  The poster entry must contain the words: “Keep Wildlife Wild 2023” and follow the theme of: “If you care, leave them there!”

  All posters must consist of original artwork of Wisconsin native wildlife. Art that shows what young wildlife experience in their first year and how wild families look are encouraged and help students understand the early life of different species.

  Posters must fit an 8.5- by 11inch sheet of paper.

  Posters must be submitted individually. No team creations.

To see the complete list of rules and requirements, please visit https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Wildlife-Habitat/posterdesigncontest.html.