White Bear Lake, MN – The 2024 Songbird Art Contest is now open and accepting entries! The contest is free to enter and open to youth kindergarten through 12th grade. Entries must feature one of the selected species below and will be accepted through November 30th, 2024.

2024 Official Bird List:

  • American Goldfinch
  • Scarlet Tanager
  • Cerulean Warbler
  • Brown-headed Nuthatch
  • Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

To compete, students in kindergarten-12th grade must choose one species from the Official Bird List to research and create a unique, hand-done art piece of their chosen songbird. Along with their art, students in 4th grade and above must submit a short creative writing piece related to their species and its conservation needs. The deadline for submission is November 30th, 2024.

The Art of Conservation® Songbird Art Contest was launched to educate youth about the urgent need to protect songbirds. Over the last 50 years, studies have shown a continuous decrease in bird populations, with songbirds experiencing almost a 40% reduction. This contest provides an engaging and accessible platform for students worldwide to learn about the importance of songbirds, the dangers they face, and the actions we can take to help preserve them.

“The Songbird Art Contest fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation for the vital role songbirds play in our ecosystems. By engaging students through art, we hope to ignite a passion for conservation that will last a lifetime,” said Addison Motta, Education and Communications Manager at Wildlife Forever.

The Art of Conservation® programs create the next generation of stewards by providing a creative outlet focused on research, learning and self-discovery. Artists from around the world have the opportunity to win prizes and recognition while learning about songbirds, their habitats, and how they can help restore their populations.

Winners will be honored in four grade categories: K-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12. Contest results will be announced January 2025.  Submit your entry today at https://www.theartofconservation.org/songbird-art-contest!

The 2024 Songbird Art Contest is supported by the USDA Forest Service.

Learn more about Wildlife Forever’s programs at www.WildlifeForever.org