SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. – Twelve school children were announced today as statewide winners in the Give Wildlife a Chance Poster Contest.

Nearly 1,400 kindergarten through fifth-grade students from 31 public schools, private schools and homeschool groups participated in the 28th annual conservation art competition, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the State Botanical Garden at the University of Georgia.

Statewide winners in the four grade divisions include:

Division 1: Kindergarten

First: Braylen Harrison, age 6, Funston Elementary, Funston 

Second: Raimee Brown, 6, Pine Log Elementary, Rydal

Third: William Speir, 5, St. Joseph Catholic Parish School, Athens

Division 2: First-second grades

First: Suri Nguyen, age 7, first grade, Jackson Elementary School of the Arts, Jonesboro

Second: Logan Cordes, 7, first grade, South Effingham Elementary, Guyton 

Third: Julie Smith, 8, second grade, Art by Gwen Studio, Vidalia

Division 3: Third-fourth grades 

First: Amore Morgan, age 10, fourth grade, Jackson Elementary School of the Arts, Jonesboro

Second: Madelyn West, 8, third grade, Art by Gwen Studio, Vidalia 

Third: Kady Dennis, 9, fourth grade, Mountain View Elementary, Ellijay 

Division 4: Fifth grade  

First: Deztiny Favors, age 10, Williams Elementary, Savannah                      

Second: Jenna Morgan, 10, Funston Elementary, Funston           

Third: Rachel Wicker, 10, St. Joseph Catholic Parish School, Athens

Participants entered at the local school level with drawings and paintings of Georgia’s native plants and animals in line with the 2018 contest theme, “Nature at Night.” Drawings were judged on aspects such as theme, originality and the quality and impact of the artwork. Top school-level entries proceeded to the state contest at The State Botanical Garden at the University of Georgia in Athens.

Winning submissions are showcased on the DNR Wildlife Resources Division’s Flickr site, www.flickr.com/photos/wildliferesourcesdivision (in the “Give Wildlife a Chance Poster Contest” album).

The winning artwork will be on display in the Visitor Center & Conservatory at the State Botanical Garden in Athens from May 9-16, along with other state-level entries.

The State Botanical Garden is home to a stunning range of collections, displays and trails. The garden offers an array of educational programs for teachers, children and the public, including summer camps. The Mimsie Lanier Center for Native Plant Species works to educate the public about the importance of using native plants in landscaping to attract native pollinators. Through the Connect to Protect program, the center provides native plants to schools, businesses and communities that want to help propagate native species.

Check the garden’s website (http://botgarden.uga.edu) or call (706) 542-1244 for hours and directions. This public garden is a gift to vis­i­tors and Georgia resi­dents; therefore, parking and admission are free.

The Give Wildlife a Chance Poster Contest is sponsored by the DNR Wildlife Resources Division, the State Botanical Garden at UGA and The Environmental Resources Network, or TERN, friends group of the Wildlife Resources Division’s Nongame Conservation Section. For more information, visit www.georgiawildlife.com/PosterContest or call the Nongame Conservation Section, (706) 557-3226.

Georgians can support important conservation, recreation and education efforts as well as other programs for Georgia’s nongame wildlife by purchasing a bald eagle or hummingbird license plate or donating directly to the Nongame Conservation Section. This agency depends largely on fundraisers for its mission to conserve wildlife, native plants and natural habitats. Learn more at www.georgiawildlife.com/licenseplates and www.georgiawildlife.com/donations.