Thibodaux, LA – The Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program (BTNEP) will be hosting its 4th Annual Estuary Artworks contest in collaboration with National Estuaries Week. This year’s theme is once again Our Estuary…My Future: Protecting the Colors of the Estuary!

BTNEP would like to invite all students in Kindergarten through 12th grade who live in the Barataria-Terrebonne Estuary System (BTES) to participate in BTNEP’s contest. Students are invited to submit their artwork for judging by Wednesday, September 20, 2017 at 4pm to the BTNEP office. Anyone wanting to participate can contact the BTNEP office for a rules and registration packet. Children are encouraged to use their creative ideas and relate it to life in the estuary!

Contest categories will be broken down by grade consisting of K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12. Prizes will be awarded to first place winners in each category. Nine additional students will be selected and all will be featured in the 2018 Estuary Artworks calendar. All 13 winners will receive passes that can be used at any of the Audubon Nature Institute parks or museums including the zoo, aquarium, or insectarium.

National Estuaries Week will be held September 17-23 to promote the importance of estuaries and the need to protect and restore them by raising awareness of the vital role estuaries play in our society. Activities across the country sponsored by various groups are creating awareness and public interest about the significance of estuaries in the environment. BTNEP’s goal with the Estuary Artworks event is to educate children more about the Barataria-Terrebonne Estuarine System, its importance and value to the community. As the estuary disappears, so does the culture and heritage of its people.

“Estuary Artworks provides children and families with a chance to visually explain why our estuary is so important to them personally. Our rich culture, biodiversity, recreational activities and lifestyles gives these young artists a host of topics to use for their artwork,” said Susan Testroet-Bergeron, BTNEP Program Director.

For more information regarding this event or to receive a registration packet, please contact Kristy Monier at 985-447-0868 or email at kristy@btnep.org.

BTNEP would like to thank its partners, Stephanie Donaldson, owner and operator of The Purple Penguin Art Company, and The Audubon Institute.

View the original press release here.