Get youth involved with nature through Youth Conservation Stamp

Image Courtesy of Wildlife Habitat Canada

Wildlife Habitat Canada (WHC) has issued the first ever Youth Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp to promote nature stewardship among youth. This self-adhesive commemorative stamp sized sticker, as opposed to a postage stamp, can be displayed on various surfaces such as iPods, computers, binders, or bookmarks to make a highly visual public statement of support for wildlife and biodiversity conservation in Canada.

Proceeds from the sale of the stamp, which retails for $5 will go towards establishing a grant dedicated to youth-driven wildlife conservation projects. Projects eligible for funding include cleaning up vacant lots or schoolyards, planting native vegetation and tree planting.

The 2010 Youth Conservation Stamp depicts the pastel artwork of 14-year-old British Columbia resident Ivy Liu, a winner of the Robert Bateman Get to Know contest. The stamp portrays a Black Bear (Ursus americanus) and a Kermode Bear (Ursus americanus kermodei), also referred to as the "Spirit Bear."

Here are the young artist's thoughts on her art piece entitled The Beauty of Nature:

The moment I heard about the Get to Know program, I was more than excited. At first I had many ideas in mind, but after some research, the spirit bear and the black bear really stood out to me. The inspiration really came from an interesting fact about these bears. It really got me interested when I learned that the spirit bear is actually a black bear that has white fur due to a rare genetic trait. This is when I decided to paint the spirit bear and the black bear to show not only diversity among species but also diversity within species. When I was creating this piece of art, I imagined an environment that was harmless to the bears, a place where these animals can live in harmony; this is why bright yellow was added, to show warmth and protection. Other than painting I also enjoy traveling with my family, as well as exploring nature. In the future I hope to help conserve wildlife habitat even more. --Ivy Liu

The Robert Bateman Get to Know Contest is a nationwide competition that encourages young people to submit artwork, photography and written work to celebrate the natural world. The Contest is sponsored by Nature Canada (premier sponsor), Wildlife Habitat Canada and Parks Canada. Since the Contest was launched in 2000 to inspire Canadian youth to get outdoors and connect with nature, it has grown into Canada's largest nature arts contest for youth.

The purchase and promotion of the Canadian Youth Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp not only helps youth get connected with nature and fully understand and appreciate its beauty and benefits, but it also helps to ensure that this exquisite resource is preserved for generations to come. You can purchase the stamp from Wildlife Habitat Canada by visiting their website.

Final Profile of Robert Bateman Art Contest Series

Untitled
Photo by Jan Jansinski

Jan Jasinski, winner in the photography category of the Robert Bateman Get to Know Contest, is a 7^th grader from Sherbrooke, Quebec. He has been interested in photography for the past three years and especially loves taking pictures of aircrafts! He always has his camera at the ready whenever anything interesting crosses his lens. Although his hobby takes patience, he still feels it is something well worth doing and hopes to inspire others to do the same

Nature Canada is looking forward to next year’s new crop of upcoming artists so get outside, get inspired and capture the beauty and essence that is mother nature.

For a complete list of all Get to Know winners please follow this link.

Nature Art, Writing and Photography Contest

RuiLin Guo’s poem, Against All Odds, is one of twelve winning entries in the writing category of the 2010 Get to Know Contest. Ruilin is a 10th grade student living in beautiful Barrie, Ontario. She loves art, poetry, reading, and nature, as well as figure skating and badminton. This calm perfectionist is also an avid birdwatcher and wants to change the world!

Here is an excerpt of Ruilin’s winning entry.

Against All Odds
By RuiLin Guo, age 15, from Ontario

The green plant unfurls
From a crack in grey pavement
Nature still survives

For a complete list of all Get to Know winners please follow this link.

Robert Bateman Nature Art Contest Profile #10

Red-winged blackbird in the rouge
by Andrew Bonnycastle

The 2010 Robert Bateman Nature Art, Photography and Writing contest has brought about several young promising artists. Andrew Bonnycastle is one of them; with his beautiful painting of a Red-winged blackbird. Andrew is 17 and lives in the Toronto area. He has been taking art classes since the age of 9. Being home schooled has allowed him to pursue his love of art; a love inspired by the wildlife-filled conservation area near his home.

For a complete list of all winners please follow this link.

Robert Bateman Art Contest Profile #9

Huron County Serenity

The beautiful picture you see above is of Maitland River in Ontario. It is one of twelve winning pieces in the photography category of the 2010 Robert Bateman Get to Know Contest. This stunning portrayal was taken by Rachel Henry.

Rachel is a 19 year old photographer from the small town of Wingham, Ontario. She can frequently be found at live music events across Southwestern Ontario, front row, with camera in hand. When she's not taking pictures, Rachel also longboards, paints, and does yoga.

Through your lens Rachel has captured the beauty and essence of the Maitland River. Thank you Rachel for sharing it with us.

For a complete list of all Robert Bateman contest winners please follow this link.

Another Aspiring Writer

Tayler Losier age 16 is an aspiring writer from Quispamsis, New Brunswick. She is fluent in French and in English and enjoys writing in both languages (and during math class). She has spent lots of time exploring the great outdoors with her sisters.

Here is an excerpt from her writing entry for the Robert Bateman Get to Know Contest.

Tree of Life
By Taylor Losier, age 16, from New Brunswick

Squirrels
Ants
Animals
Insects

They live in the tree
In the branches
Under the bark
Deep in the roots

A miasma of life
In one solid trunk

A million souls
Protected by one seed

Bringer of life

For a complete list of all winners please follow this link.

Winning Artwork of Robert Bateman Art Contest New WHC Stamp

The painting entitled “Going Deeper “ by Bethany Harris age 18 from Calgary, Alberta will be featured on Wildlife Habitat Canada's 2011 Canadian Youth Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp to be sold nationally in 2011. Proceeds of the inaugural stamp’s sale will fund youth-driven wildlife conservation projects.

Bethany Harris has always been passionate about art and the environment and seeks to convey a positive and relevant message in her paintings. As a keen horse rider and photographer, her artwork reflects the diverse wildlife, landscape, and cultural heritage that surrounds her in rural Southern Alberta.

Congratulations to Bethany for her beautiful portrayal of our iconic Canadian Moose!

For a complete list of all Get to Know winners please follow this link.

Robert Bateman Get to Know Art, Writing and Photography Contest Winner Profile #6

Sophie Hoye Pacholek, winner in the writing category of the 2010 Get to Know Contest, is a first grader from Calgary, Alberta. Sophie is very fortunate to be surrounded by nature and wildlife. She lives near the Glenmore Reservoir and the Weaselhead Natural Area. At only six years of age Sophie is already very passionate about nature. She loves to write, draw, sing, and dance. She also loves to go hiking and canoeing.

Below is an excerpt of Sophie’s writing entry.

Red Squirrels (The Red Squirrel)
By Sophie Hoye Pacholek

The red squirrels habitat is in my backyard and forests. It's fun to watch them scatter around the willow trunk, twitching their tails up and down. I named them Cheeky and Squeaky because they are bold and chirpy.

For a complete list of all Get to Know winners please follow this link.

Portrait of a Black-capped Chickadee

The Black-capped Chickadee, an active bird often found hopping around from treetop to treetop is known for hiding its food and being able to remember its location with exact accuracy for up to 28 days. The Black-capped Chickadee is commonly found across Canada from Newfoundland to British Columbia (except for the coastal islands), and into the southern Yukon Territory and the Northwest Territories. It is typically a year-round resident but from time to time it will venture south into the United States, but its range is restricted to the northern two-thirds of the continent.

The above picture of the black capped chickadee has been beautifully portrayed by Pamela Williamson age 17 from Victoria, BC. Pamela, art winner of the Get to Know contest, is a self-taught artist with Autism who loves to draw with pencils, computers, and Acrylic paints. Her favourite animal is the penguin, but for the Get to Know Contest she was inspired to draw Canadian animals. Pamela hopes to lead an independent life as an animator and artist when she graduates.

For a complete list of all Get to Know winners please follow this link.

Nature Photography Contest Winner

Kaitlin Lane age 9 from Calgary, Alberta is now a winner of the Robert Bateman Get to Know Photo contest for a second year in a row. She is amongst the twelve talented young Canadians who through their lenses captured the beauty and wonders of our natural world. Kaitlin enjoys taking pictures, drawing and painting. She is currently in grade 3 and enjoys playing squash, golfing, and skiing.


Two of Kaitlin's photos were selected as winning entries in this year's contest: top, Rubber Duckie; bottom, Untitled.

Nature Art, Photography and Writing Contest Winner

As some of you may already know, the winners of the 2010 Robert Bateman Get to Know Canadian Art, Writing and Photography Contest were announced last World Ocean’s day at a special event in British Columbia. Amongst the many talented youths is Nicole Schmidt, currently in grade 5 from Calgary, Alberta.

Nicole loves being outside. Her backyard, the Rocky Mountains, or a sandy beach are her favourite places to be. She enjoys illustrating and photographing deer, rabbits, and birds. She has entered the Robert Bateman Get to Know Contest for several years but this was her first writing entry.

Here is an excerpt from her writing entry.

Mystery (Backyard Species)
By Nicole Schmidt, age 10, from Alberta

Twittering sparrow,
Croaking frog,
Something sitting on that log.

Vibrating moth,
Twitching gnat,
Something resting on the mat.

Scurrying mouse,
Buzzing bee,
Flying close, right next to me.

For a complete list of all winners please follow this link.

One of Many Robert Bateman Art Contest Winners

This week's Robert Bateman Get to Know Contest winner profile is on Quinn Dalgarno from Ontario. For a complete list of all winners please follow the link.

Most of us have always had a deep appreciation for the rain. Such fondness lies with falling asleep to the gentle sound of the rain pounding against the ground or the exuberating feeling of letting go and dancing freely in the rain. But let’s be honest, we do not always appreciate the aftermath of a storm. So thank you to Quinn who has managed to capture the beauty and essence of after a rainfall.

Here is a little bit more about Quinn Dalgarno…

Quinn Dalgarno – Grade 10 – Ontario

Quinn loves to hike and ride his bike every chance he gets, stopping to sketch, paint, or photograph things he notices along the way. Quinn is an active birder and is able to recognize any bird by sound, flight pattern, or appearance anywhere in North America.

The Results are in!

The winners of the 2010 Get to Know Canadian Art, Writing and Photography Contest were announced on World Ocean’s day at a special event held at Summerhill Pyramid Winery in British Columbia. This year, there were 37 winners chosen from over 7000 entries in art, writing and photography categories; 13 winners for art and 12 for the writing and photography categories. The winners range in age from 4 to 17, and come from all across Canada. Each week we will feature different contest winner. This week’s profile is on Hillary Le from Toronto, Ontario. For a complete list of all winners please follow the link.

Hillary Le – Grade 6 – Toronto
Hillary Le has been doing watercolour for five years and loves painting landscapes. Although she loves watercolours, she also wants to learn how to paint with acrylics and oil paints. She enjoys school and a variety of after-school activities such as gymnastics, piano, and guitar.

Winners of the 2010 Get to Know Contest will be awarded various prizes, including Panasonic digital cameras; prize packages from Opus Art and Framing Supplies and Scholastic Canada; and the publication of winning art and writing pieces in the 2011 Robert Bateman Get to Know Contest Calendar. In addition, for the first time this year, all winners over the age of 12 will be invited to the Waterton Glacier International Peace Park, where they will be joined by the winners of the US Get to Know Contest, for a week of outdoor activities and events hosted by Parks Canada.

Less Than 2 days Left to Enter the Robert Bateman Get to Know Contest

Participants are welcomed to submit multiple entries but they must be submitted online or received in the mail no later than 4:00 PM Eastern (1:00 PM Pacific) on May 28, 2010.Hurry up and submit your nature inspired work of art, writing, or photography and you could win a week-long stay at Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, hosted by Parks Canada, gifts from Scholastic, Panasonic, and Opus Framing and Art Supplies, cash prizes, and the opportunity to have their work published in the 2011 Get to Know Contest Calendar. For more information, visit www.gettoknow.ca.

Only 8 Days Left - Submit your Entry Now!

The 2010 Robert Bateman Get to Know Contest is coming to a close soon! If you are 19 or younger be sure to submit your work of art, writing, or photography.

This year’s theme is “Celebrating Biodiversity” in honour of the International Year of Biodiversity.

Prizes include a week-long stay at Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, hosted by Parks Canada, gifts from Scholastic, Panasonic, and Opus Framing and Art Supplies, cash prizes, and the opportunity to have their work published in the 2011 Get to Know Contest Calendar.

For more information, visit www.gettoknow.ca. The contest closes May 28 2010.

Embrace Biodiversity and Submit your Entry Now

Celebrate biodiversity by entering the 2010 Robert Bateman Get to Know Contest! The contest launched on Earth Day, April 22 and is open to all young Canadians aged 19 or younger. We invite you to "get to know" local plants and animals and submit your work of art, writing, or photography. The contest is open until May 28 and you could win wild prizes – including a week-long stay at Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, hosted by Parks Canada. Other prizes include gifts from Scholastic, Panasonic, and Opus Framing and Art Supplies, cash prizes (NEW for 2010!), and the opportunity to have their work published in the 2011 Get to Know Contest Calendar. For more information, visit http://www.gettoknow.ca/.

Calling Young Nature Artists, Writers and Photographers!

Celebrations across the country are being held this Earth Day, April 22, in honour of the 10th annual Robert Bateman Get To Know Contest and to celebrate the International Year of Biodiversity. The Premier launch event is taking place at the Canadian Museum of Nature where Alan Bateman, son of renowned wildlife artist Robert Bateman will dedicate a Tree to his father who will also be turning 80 this May.

Thirty students from the Robert Bateman Public School will attend the tree dedication ceremony. The students will then take a tour of the museum's Mammal Gallery, where they will see many of Canada's iconic wildlife species up close in beautiful diorama displays and partake in various activities such as wildlife sketching with Alan Bateman.

Nature Canada has been supporting the Robert Bateman Get To Know Contest for the past seven years and is proud to be a premier partner for the second year in a row. This year we have teamed up, the Canadian Museum of Nature, Wildlife Habitat Canada, the Canadian Wildlife Federation and the Robert Bateman Public School for the 2010 launch event.

Over the last decade, the contest has received tens of thousands of nature-themed art and writing entries. The 2010 contest theme is "Celebrate Biodiversity."

Our planet is home to a dizzying array of wonderful, mysterious life forms and the Get to Know Program hopes youth who participate in this contest will discover a sense of connection with the natural world. Exploring the wild plants and animals in your own neighbourhood can provide a greater appreciation of the beauties of nature while you connect, create and celebrate nature. Parks, zoos, museums, and aquariums are also great places to connect with nature.

Winners of this year's Get to Know Contest will have the chance to receive fantastic prizes such as gifts from Scholastic, Panasonic, Opus Framing and Art Supplies and cash prizes (NEW for 2010!). Your artwork will be featured on Canada's Youth Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp and the 2011 Get to Know Contest Calendar.

We support this contest because it helps achieve a very important goal: connecting young people to the natural world. As young people explore the natural world, they gain a greater understanding of its beauty, its gifts, and its fragility. It also helps you to explore your own creativity, and what better source is there for artistic inspiration than nature?

The contest runs until May 28, 2010. Visit www.gettoknow.ca/en/kids/contest/ for more information and to submit your entry.

Photo: Alan Bateman and family plant the tree dedicated to his father, Robert Bateman, at the Canadian Museum of Nature.