The Threatened Species Art Competition is back for its eighth year.
Students across the Macarthur region learn about local threatened species through the creation of vibrant and colourful artworks that highlight the vulnerability of our region’s plants and animals.
Young artists between five and 12 years of age are invited to draw, paint or create a collage on A4 sized paper of a threatened species found in the Macarthur region and submit it to Campbelltown Council by Wednesday, August 24.
For the first time, winners of this year’s competition will be officially announced at a special award ceremony to be held at The Australian PlantBank on Threatened Species Day, Monday, September 7.
Entrants will be invited to explore behind-the-scenes of the facility with a research scientist and be taken on a Nocturnal Tour of the endangered Cumberland Plain Woodland as part of the event.
The award ceremony will be followed by a travelling exhibition of entries across the Macarthur region throughout September in recognition of Biodiversity Month.
Individual entries will be judged in age categories of 5 to 6 years; 7 to 9 years and 10 to 12 years, and schools with the highest participation rate of students or the highest overall number of students entered into the competition will win a school prize package.
Mayor of Campbelltown, Cr Paul Hawker, said the annual Threatened Species Art Competition was growing in popularity every year, with 2015 seeing a record number of entries.
“The competition encourages young people, their teachers and their families to learn more about the plants and animals that live in the Macarthur region, and to express their passion for the natural environment through creative arts.
“The initiative continues to help highlight our local threatened species to a large audience through the travelling exhibition.
“And with great prizes on offer for both individuals and schools, I encourage local young people to discover more about their natural environment and get creative,” Cr Hawker said.
Macarthur’s diverse habitat
The competition aims to increase awareness and interest in local threatened species and highlight the diverse habitat of the Macarthur region, which includes vulnerable and endangered plants and animals such as the red-crowned toadlet, green and golden bell frog, barking owl and spiked rice flower.
Threats to these species include poor water quality and animal grazing, as well as activities such as illegal dumping of rubbish and removal of fallen trees and logs.
Highlighting these issues through the creative minds of young students aims to help improve the way residents of all ages interact with our natural environment.
Entries can be hand delivered to the Environment Unit at Campbelltown City Council’s Civic Centre, or posted to PO Box 57, Campbelltown 2560.
Camden and Wollondilly residents can send their artwork into their respective councils.
For more information, including a full list of animals and plants that are classified as threatened species in the Macarthur region, visit the website here or phone 4645 4000.
