The Wildlife Forever Fish Art Contest has joined with the Western Native Trout Initiative to highlight the diversity of native trout in the western United States. This partnership will connect youth to the assortment of native trout utilizing the Art of Conservation®.
In honor of this alliance, the Fish Art Contest has a new Western Native Trout Award. Young people interested in competing for this award should select one of the 14 trout species native to the western United States listed on the Official Fish List. Winners will be selected in four grade categories, Kindergarten-3rd grade, 4th-6thgrade, 7th-9th grade, and 10th-12thgrade and awarded a prize package from the Western Native Trout Initiative.
The Western Native Trout Initiative is a program of the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and a public-private partnership under the National Fish Habitat Partnership. The Initiative works across 12 western states to conserve 21 native trout/char species regarded as icons of the American West.
“The Western Native Trout Initiative is proud to support a program that fosters the development of deep connections to the outdoors. The United States is home to a variety of unique trout species, highlighting them in the Fish Art Contest will share their story with thousands of young people around the world,” said Therese Thompson of the Western Native Trout Initiative.
Julia Luger, Education and Communication Director of Wildlife Forever commented “The connections created through this contest lures young people to become stewards of the outdoors. The Western Native Trout Initiative is responsible for preserving and restoring the populations of thousands of native trout, we look forward to shining a light on these important species.”
The 2021 Fish Art Contest is now open and accepting entries. To learn more about the Western Native Trout Award, visit www.FishArt.org. The deadline to enter is March 31st, 2021, so start creating today!
