Wildlife Forever

The giant State-Fish Art banner and the stage are

ready for the day's festivities at

the Mall of America.

The United States Post Office is on hand to provide a special pictorial cancellation of the first issue of the Art of Conservation™ stamps for stamp collectors and conservationists

.

Contest winners spend part of the day in a special art class held for them by the Art Institutes International Minnesota.

After class, winners and their families are treated to a gourmet pizza lunch created by the chefs at

Art Institutes International Minnesota.

Between the day's events, families visit Camp Snoopy at the Mall of America and take in some rides.

Families anxiously await the presentations to the winners

Wildlife Forever's Chairman of the Board, Scott Grieve, presents each of the winner with a special rod and reel combo provided by Rapala.

The crowd at the Mall of America awaits the big announcement of the winner of the 2006 Art of Conservation™ stamp award.

Tiara Jenkins received the Art of Conservation stamp award from Wildlife Forever Education Coordinator Brett Richardson. Her depiction of the Missouri state fish, the channel catfish, will become the 2006 Art of Conservation™ stamp.

Having fun with a giant Rapala lure.

The Jenkins sisters, all winners in their age categories, pose with

President & CEO Douglas H. Grann.

The next day, the Minnesota Twins host the winners and their families at a major league baseball game. During a special pregame ceremony, each winner was recognized with their artwork on the giant megatron TV.