Contact: Julia Luger, JLuger@WildlifeForever.org

WHITE BEAR LAKE, MN – With thousands of students and families impacted by COVID-19, Wildlife Forever and our team of host organizations have extended the State-Fish Art Contest deadline to April 30, 2020. This extension will allow more time for students to compete and participate while schools are shutdown. The Free Fish On Lesson Plan, entry forms and resources are available at www.StateFishArt.org.

The State-Fish Art Contest®, supported by Title Sponsor Bass Pro Shops, is a free K-12 art and creative writing competition highlighting fish and aquatic conservation. To compete, young artists should create an original illustration of any state-fish from the Official Fish List, found at www.StateFishArt.org. Artists in grade 4 and above should also submit a creative writing entry highlighting their fish species.

“With our nation’s schools closed and young people at home, we are extending the State-Fish Art Contest deadline to allow students and families opportunity to participate with the contest and learn about fish, fishing and the importance of connecting with the outdoors,” said Pat Conzemius, President and CEO of Wildlife Forever.

A vast array of FREE educational resources can be found online including details about the contest and prizes. Winners will be awarded in four grade categories, K-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12. Entries must be postmarked by Thursday April 30th, 2020. Judging will occur in May and winners will be announced at the end of May. See our 2019 winners and learn more at www.StateFishArt.org.

About the Artwork: 2019 1st Place Winner, South Dakota. Artist Bria N. Grade 6

About the State-Fish Art Contest: The award-winning Wildlife Forever State-Fish Art® Contest, with support from Title Sponsor Bass Pro Shops, the US Forest Service and Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, brings children, art and aquatic conservation together! To enter, young artists create an original illustration of any official state-fish and written words detailing its behavior, habitat, and efforts to conserve it. Entries are categorized in four grade levels: K-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12. Educators nationwide utilize Fish On!, the full-color State-Fish Art Lesson Plan, integrating the disciplines of science and art. Entries are due postmarked by March 31st each year. Learn more at www.statefishart.org.

About Wildlife Forever: Located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, Wildlife Forever's mission is to conserve America's wildlife heritage through conservation education, preservation of habitat and management of fish and wildlife. For 30 years, members have helped conduct thousands of fish, game and habitat conservation projects across the country. National programs include the Clean Drain Dry Initiative and the State-Fish Art Contest. To join or learn more about Wildlife Forever's award-winning programs, including work to engage America's youth, visit www.WildlifeForever.org.

About Bass Pro Shops®: Bass Pro Shops is North America’s premier outdoor and conservation company. Founded in 1972 when avid young angler Johnny Morris began selling tackle out of his father’s liquor store in Springfield, Missouri, today the company provides customers with unmatched offerings spanning premier destination retail, outdoor equipment manufacturing, world-class resort destinations and more. In 2017 Bass Pro Shops acquired Cabela’s to create a “best-of-the-best” experience with superior products, dynamic locations and outstanding customer service. Bass Pro Shops also operates White River Marine Group, offering an unsurpassed collection of industry-leading boat brands, and Big Cedar Lodge, America’s Premier Wilderness Resort. Under the visionary conservation leadership of Johnny Morris, Bass Pro Shops is a national leader in protecting habitat and introducing families to the outdoors and has been named by Forbes as “one of America’s Best Employers."