The Art of Conservation Expands with New Contest Partners
Wildlife Forever is proud to announce the expansion of the 2025–26 Art of Conservation® Fish Art Contest, now featuring 18 state-level contests thanks to the support of new and returning state and regional hosts. This year, partners from Washington, Virginia, South Carolina, and New Mexico join the growing network of organizations dedicated to inspiring creativity and conservation through art. These collaborations create more opportunities for students to showcase their artistic talents and conservation knowledge—earning recognition and awards within their own communities while connecting to a national celebration of youth art and stewardship.
Since its inception in 1997, the Fish Art Contest has inspired more than 85,000 youth across 46 countries to explore the wonders of aquatic ecosystems. The addition of regional contests strengthens this global program by fostering local engagement and celebrating participants closer to home.
“The addition of state and regional hosts expands the Fish Art Contest’s reach and impact. It’s inspiring to see students recognized by their communities while learning about local species and contributing to the broader effort to promote conservation,” said Veronica Mangio, Marketing & Communications Manager at Wildlife Forever.
2025 Regional Contests and Hosts:
Alaska: Hosted by Forest Service Department of Agriculture
California: Hosted by Coleman National Fish Hatchery
Washington, D.C.: Hosted by Department of Energy & Environment
Florida: Hosted by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Georgia: Hosted by GoFish Education Center
Illinois: Hosted by Illinois Conservation Foundation
Iowa: Hosted by Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Minnesota: Hosted by Minnesota Conservation Volunteer
Missouri: Hosted by Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium
Mississippi: Hosted by Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
Nebraska: Hosted by Nebraska Game and Parks
New Mexico: Hosted by New Mexico Department of Game & Fish
South Carolina: Hosted by South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
Tennessee: Hosted by Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Texas: Hosted by Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center
Vermont: Hosted by Vermont Fish & Wildlife
Virginia: Hosted by National Youth Visionaries Association
Washington: Hosted by American Mia Education
Each regional contest often highlights specific fish species that are ecologically or culturally significant to the area. Regional hosts have the opportunity to identify these species, encouraging students to focus on their unique local habitats and conservation needs.
These state and regional contests bring additional opportunities for recognition, prizes, and awards provided by the host organizations, fostering deeper connections to conservation in each community.
Wildlife Forever continues to invite organizations interested in hosting regional contests to join this impactful program. Partners receive tools, educational resources, and support to make their contests a success.
The 2025-26 contest is open for submissions until February 28th, 2026. Participants can find more information, learn about specialty awards, educational resources, and submission guidelines at www.FishArt.org. Contact Veronica at VMangio@wildlifeforever.org for any questions or concerns.